Officer Elijah Garretson - Copperas Cove Police Department - Texas

On January 10, 2026, Officer Elijah Garretson of the Copperas Cove Police Department (Texas) responded to reports of a suspicious person near the intersection of Lost Trail and Great Hills Drive.

Officer Garretson was ambush after arriving at this intersection.  After lengthy negotiations with officers, the suspect was discovered with a self-inflicted gunshot wound.  The suspect was on probation and was wanted on a DWI warrant.  Officer Garretson passed away on January 11, 2026.

Officer Elijah Garretson was a United States Army veteran and had served with the Copperas Cove Police Department for seven months. A recent graduate of the Central Texas College Police Academy, he received the Academic Award for the highest grade point average in the class. He is survived by his wife and daughter.

As part of our "Plaques for Heroes" campaign, engraved slate memorial plaques were sent to the Copperas Cove Police Department and to Officer Elijah Garretson's family at no cost to honor his service and his sacrifice to the community of Copperas Cove, Texas. Our condolences to his family, his department and the community he served.