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Incident
Patrolman Simons suffered a fatal heart attack following an altercation with a suspect in a local tavern.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
neuraspine_01krbxtpr6sdfysw1nxh053aey- Stewardship
- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Patrolman Simons served with the Rapid City Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the Rapid City community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Patrolman Simons.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Cardiac
Rapid City Police Department has lost 8 officers; 1 of them lost to cardiac events.
Elmer is one of 4 officers lost to cardiac events in SD, 6.3% of the 64 remembered there.
Elmer is one of 1,307 officers lost to cardiac events in the United States, 4.7% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Elmer is one of 1,309 officers lost to cardiac events worldwide, 3.9% of the 33,917 remembered here.
33,917 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1955, 16 officers in the United States were lost to cardiac events, the 24th heaviest of 139 years on record. The heaviest was 2014, with 24.
In 1955, 16 officers worldwide were lost to cardiac events, the 24th heaviest of 139 years on record. The heaviest was 2014, with 24.
When
April holds 8.9% of these deaths in the United States; January holds the most, 9.6%. Saturdays: 14.3%.
April holds 8.9% of these deaths worldwide; January holds the most, 9.5%. Saturdays: 14.4%.
How
Cardiac deaths account for 12.5% of all 8 deaths at Rapid City Police Department, the 3rd most common cause.
Cardiac deaths account for 6.3% of all 64 deaths in SD, the 3rd most common cause.
Cardiac deaths account for 4.7% of all 27,551 deaths in the United States, the 4th most common cause.
Cardiac deaths account for 3.9% of all 33,917 deaths worldwide, the 4th most common cause.
His people
Rapid City Police Department has 8 officers remembered here, Elmer among them.
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 5-W
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
7 officers from Rapid City Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
