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Incident
Special Deputy Walter Coffin was shot and killed as he and a posse attempted to arrest a man wanted for double murder.
The man opened fire on the posse, striking Special Deputy Coffin in the head and killing him. The man then escaped and was never apprehended.
Special Deputy Coffin had been deputized by the county sheriff earlier in the day to help with the arrest.
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- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- September 9, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
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143 years is a long time for a name to go unread. Not today.
Special Deputy Coffin served with the Boise County Sheriff's Office.
Thank you for your service to the Idaho City community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Walter is the only officer of Boise County Sheriff's Office remembered here.
Walter is one of 45 officers killed feloniously in ID, 62.5% of the 72 remembered there.
Walter is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Walter is one of 17,631 officers killed feloniously worldwide, 51.7% of the 34,117 remembered here.
34,117 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1883, 1 officer in ID was killed feloniously, the 10th heaviest of 33 years on record. The heaviest was 1904, with 3.
In 1883, 43 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 144th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1883, 46 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 146th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Walter was 29. Of the 40 killed feloniously in ID whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 48.3; the middle age was 37. Walter had served 0 years; the middle length of service was 3 years.
Walter was 29. Of the 14,220 killed feloniously in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 47; the middle age was 38. Walter had served 0 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Walter was 29. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Walter had served 0 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
April holds 4.4% of these deaths in ID; January holds the most, 26.7%. Wednesdays: 20%.
April holds 8.4% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Wednesdays: 12.9%.
April holds 8.6% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Wednesdays: 13.2%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 100% of all 1 deaths at Boise County Sheriff's Office. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 100% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 62.5% of all 72 deaths in ID, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 31.1% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 57.1% of all 27,551 deaths in the United States, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 23.4% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,117 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 20.9% of these deaths.
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 44-W
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