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Incident
Deputy Sheriff Bancroft, Special Deputy Leonard Cummings, and Special Deputy Billy Withington were shot and killed while attempting to serve a warrant on a man. The suspect was given permission to retrieve money from his bedroom but returned with a .30-.30 rifle and opened fire, killing all three deputies. Deputy Bancroft had deputized Special Deputy Cummings and Special Deputy Withington on his way to make the arrest. The man fled but was arrested the following day. The suspect died 2 days later of wounds he received during his arrest. Deputy Bancroft had served with the Lemhi County Sheriff's Department for less than one year.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and two children.
In Our Keeping
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- 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.
Deputy Sheriff Bancroft served with the Lemhi County Sheriff's Department.
Thank you for your service to the Salmon community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Deputy Sheriff Bancroft.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Lemhi County Sheriff's Department has lost 4 officers; 3 of them killed feloniously.
Louis is one of 45 officers killed feloniously in ID, 62.5% of the 72 remembered there.
Louis is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Louis is one of 17,631 officers killed feloniously worldwide, 52% of the 33,917 remembered here.
33,917 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1928, 3 officers in ID were killed feloniously, more than in any other year.
In 1928, 201 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 13th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1928, 202 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 15th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Louis 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. Louis had served 1 year; the middle length of service was 3 years.
Louis 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. Louis had served 1 year; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Louis was 54. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Louis had served 1 year; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
January holds 26.7% of these deaths in ID, more than any other month. Mondays: 33.3%.
January holds 8% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Mondays: 13.8%.
January holds 7.9% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Mondays: 13.8%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 75% of all 4 deaths at Lemhi County Sheriff's Department, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was rifle, 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 rifle, in 22.2% 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 rifle, in 5.9% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 52% of all 33,917 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was rifle, in 5.3% of these deaths.
His people
Lemhi County Sheriff's Department has 4 officers remembered here, Louis among them.
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 41-W
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
3 officers from Lemhi County Sheriff's Department are honored on badge.nw.
