Arkansas State Police, Arkansas
End of Watch: Sunday, August 17, 1958
Age: 35
Tour of Duty: 8 months
Badge Number: 147
Cause of Death: Gunfire
Date of Incident: August 17, 1958
Weapon Used: Rifle
Suspect Info: Executed in 1959
Trooper Ermon Cox was shot and killed by a man suspected of driving while intoxicated. Trooper Cox and his 9 year-old son, in their personal automobile, had just left a store and followed the man into a nearby driveway. The suspect ran into his house, grabbed a rifle, and shot Trooper Cox through his windshield as he was backing away.
The suspect was convicted of first degree murder and sentenced to death on October 15, 1958. He was executed in Arkansas' electric chair on January 2, 1959.
Trooper Cox had served with the agency for 8 months. He was survived by his wife and two children. His 9 year-old son went on to become a Arkansas State Trooper.