King County Sheriff's Office, Washington
End of Watch: Saturday, December 2, 2006
Age: 46
Tour of Duty: 9 years
Badge Number: 1106
Cause of Death: Gunfire
Date of Incident: December 2, 2006
Weapon Used: Gun; Unknown type
Suspect Info: Committed suicide
Deputy Steve Cox was shot and killed while questioning a suspect in White Center, Washington.
Deputy Cox and other deputies had responded to a shooting in the southwestern part of the city and located a truck driver who had been beaten and shot in the head. As they were questioning people at a nearby house party, Deputy Cox was interviewing someone in a back bedroom when he was shot in the head. Two deputies responding to the gunshot were fired upon but returned fire, wounding the suspect. The man then committed suicide.
Deputy Cox was transported to a nearby hospital where he succumbed to his wound.
The original shooting was the result of the truck driver striking a vehicle with his truck. The victim survived the gunshot wound.
Deputy Cox was a 9 year veteran of the King County Sheriff's Department. He is survived by his wife, son, and stepdaughter.