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Incident
Deputy Sheriff Elbert Sweet was shot and killed as he responded to a house in Blackfoot where two men were robbing Japanese railroad workers at 5:30 pm.
Deputy Sweet was met at the door by one of the suspects, who shot him point-blank in the face. The suspects then chased the railroad foreman, who was with Deputy Sweet, into a building across the street, where they shot him three times and beat him into insensibility. A regular gun battle followed with several citizens and another deputy attracted to the scene. The deputy shot and killed one of the suspects. Physicians at the scene worked on Deputy Sweet, but he never regained consciousness and passed away within the hour.
The other suspect escaped and fled into the Fort Hall Indian Reservation, where he was apprehended the next day. He was hanged at the Idaho State Prison in Boise on December 16, 1904.
Deputy Sheriff Sweet had served with the Bingham County Sheriff's Office for five years and had served in law enforcement for 12 years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and three children.
In Our Keeping
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- August 2, 2026
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- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Deputy Sheriff Sweet gave the Bingham County Sheriff's Office 12 years.
Thank you for your service to the Blackfoot community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Deputy Sheriff Sweet.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Elbert is the only officer of Bingham County Sheriff's Office remembered here.
Elbert is one of 45 officers killed feloniously in ID, 62.5% of the 72 remembered there.
Elbert is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Elbert 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 1904, 3 officers in ID were killed feloniously, more than in any other year.
In 1904, 83 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 78th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1904, 83 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 85th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Elbert was 54. Of the 40 killed feloniously in ID whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 48.3; the middle age was 37. Elbert had served 12 years; the middle length of service was 3 years.
Elbert was 54. 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. Elbert had served 12 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Elbert was 54. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Elbert had served 12 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
September holds 11.1% of these deaths in ID; January holds the most, 26.7%. Sundays: 8.9%.
September holds 9.1% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Sundays: 15.2%.
September holds 8.8% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Sundays: 15.2%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 100% of all 1 deaths at Bingham County Sheriff's Office. The weapon recorded was handgun; revolver, 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; revolver, in 4.4% 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; revolver, in 0.9% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,117 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun; revolver, in 0.8% of these deaths.
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 54-W
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
0 officers from Bingham County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.