Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

As years go by, many officers have now spent a career walking in your and Conley's shadow...including me. Your sacrifice made us, and the Idaho Department of Fish and Game better in so many ways. We never met but thank you for all you taught me about public service and being a game warden. RIP Brother

Regional CO George R Fischer
Idaho Department of Fish and Game

April 16, 2024

R.I.P BROTHER IN BLUE !

Mortimer J Keane RET PO
NYPD

June 2, 2023

I knew the Reno based FBI Agents who apprehended Claude Dallas in Humboldt County (Nevada), sometime after the murders. One of the agents has since passed away (S/A Nenzel), but the others, including S/A Wick are retired. Claude spend much of his time in Nevada and was hiding out in Paradise Valley, when tracked down by the FBI and local law enforcement. Dallas was wounded while fleeing in a pick-up truck. Dallas got off with a lenient sentence in Idaho, and later escaped from an Idaho prison, but was apprehended later in California. Unfortunately the defense during the trial tried to vilify Officers Pogue and Elms, but both officers were obviously dedicated professionals, who strived to protect our natural resources. Dallas had several poached hides when confronted in his camp by the officers. I thank Officer Pogue and Elms for their sacrifice and service to the citizens of Idaho and Nevada. As a hunter and outdoorsman myself, these men should never be forgotten for their dedicated and exemplary service.

James Lopey, Assistant Sheriff (Ret)
Washoe County Sheriff's Office (Reno, Nevada)
Nevada DPS

January 5, 2022

Rest in peace Game Warden Elms.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

September 19, 2021

38yrs later your spirit and your memory remains.

D. E. King
Christian Co. Sheriffs Office

January 6, 2019

As a US Forest Service LEO on the Boise National Forest in the early 1980's, I knew Conley and his brother Mike. Conley was a big teddy bear of a guy...one of the nicest people you would ever want to know. He usually had his loyal black lab with him in his pickup when he was on patrol. Like everyone else, I was shocked when I heard then news, as I had seen and chatted with him just a week or so before it happened. Even more shocking was the relatively light sentence that this Dallas character received from the State of Idaho. This was a straight forward execution style killing of both Elms and Pogh. As a back country USFS LEO on the Boise National Forest, it was an eye-opener as to the number of deranged, unstable, anti-government survivalist types like Claude Dallas, living off the land in our nation's back country areas. Before I retired, I used to mentor younger LEOs with a basic piece of advice: Always assume that these types are armed with more than one weapon, and NEVER turn your back on them.
RIP Conley and Bill!

Walt Tegge, Forest Service LEO (retired)
U.S. Forest Service, Boise National Forest

October 9, 2018

Rest In Peace Brother LEO. You and your partner are honored and remembered today the 37th anniversary of your EOW.

Officer Mike Robinson, (Ret)
Upland Police Dept. CA

January 5, 2018

I met Conley and Mike when I took a summer job with the USFS in Chemult, Oregon in 1963. During that summer I was assigned to a guard station with Mike Elms in the Klamath National Forest. Conley was truly a kind, gentle giant of a man.
My reason for writing is that I dreamed about both of these men last night and awakened wondering about them and reflecting on the brief experiences I had that summer in Oregon. I was wondering about Mike and Tom Elms and if they are still living and wish all their family a Merry Christmas and hope they are doing well.

Russell Ricej
Co-Worker with USFS in 1963

December 1, 2017

We remember your sacrifice today and every day. May the scum that murdered you never have a day of peace.

Deputy D. E. King
Christian Co KY Sheriffs Dept

January 6, 2017

RIP brother, you will always be remembered.

Officer J. Honeycutt
Utah Valley University Police

July 25, 2016

My brother and I recently took a four wheel drive trip to the Owhyee Desert. We then hiked to the bottom of the canyon (now part of a Wilderness Area) where the officers were killed. To our surprise, there is a very touching memorial at the site. It is inscribed "In Memory of Bill Pogue & Conley Elms, End of Watch, January 5, 1981". The back side of the stone has favorite quotes from both men. Placing that stone could not have been an easy task as the canyon is inaccessible other than by foot, horse, boat, or helicopter. We paid our respects to both of the fallen and their families.

Mark Alexander
Outdoorsman

August 24, 2015

I thank of Conley Elms often and just read these newer reflections. Would love to connect with some of his family and see where we might be related.

Chaplain John Elms
Tillamook County Sheriff's Office

May 3, 2014

a true hero, a man who believed in wildlife conservation and was just doing his job unaware that he was dealing with a maniac who loved killing animals illegally without remorse.

left Idaho Fish and Game much too soon - a huge loss...

John r ivey, civilian
Municipal government By Law

March 8, 2014

I was friends with the Elms family when Conley and I were growing up. I knew him in Oakridge and Cottage Grove Or., and ran into him at OSU. I still laugh when his mother (Doris) used to yell at him, "Conley, I'm going to stomp your liver if you don't stop doing 'whatever'". Mike, older than us, was alway more serious!! Tom was off in the Air Force. Conley was always fun to be around. When he lived in Beaver Marsh, Or, we used to play in the old mink pens. We wanted to swim in the Miller Cr that ran through the property, but, damn that water was cold. Conley was always of good nature and I don't ever remember him complaining.

I was infuriated that the media so glamorized his loss of life.
I still miss him.

David Mack
Childhood Friend

August 5, 2013

For Sheri..& Tom Elms, I was with Conely in Chemult and at college in Corvallis for a time. He was a great friend to me, and I have never forgotten, or ceased to grieve for your loss. It was disgusting how it played out, and heartbreaking to remember. Time has dulled some but my love for your family is strong. I visited with Conely and Sheri in Corvallis, and Sheri would let Conely go out with me to live a little before I went to 'Nam. Miss that "tame bear" and leave my love for you.

Former Fireguard and friend, Evan MacKay

March 18, 2013

Rest in Peace, Game Warden Elms. Your sacrifice is not forgotten.

Officer 11169

April 7, 2012

A Hero may fall, but never shall be forgotten. I remember your story well as I followed it close. I was in Vegas watching the Superbowl in 2005 when they had a news break about your killers release.. I was Sick! RIP now Sir, I will pray for you and your family.

James Kotke
Civilian / Former Officer
WSF Park Police (Wi.)

February 16, 2012

Your heroism and service is honored today, the thirty-first anniversary of your death. Your memory lives and you continue to inspire. Thank you for your service. My cherished son Larry Lasater was a fellow police officer who was murdered in the the line of duty on April 24, 2005 while serving as a Pittsburg, CA police officer.

Time never diminishes respect. Your memory will always be honored and revered. Rest In Peace.

I pray for solace for all those who love and miss you for I know both the pain and pride are forever, I think you and your family were robbed of justice when the killer of you and your partner was released after 25 years. Anyone murdering two officers should never be released.

Phyllis Loya
Mom of fallen California Officer Larry Lasater, Pittsburg PD, eow 4/24/05

January 5, 2012

Though I never knew him, he was part of my Law Enforcement family and I will mourn this deep loss the rest of my life. My heart aches with all the losses we have suffered, and continue to suffer, through the years. God is our only peace in such incidents & our only real comfort comes from Him. May His strength, comfort & peace continue to be the sustaining force in the lives of all who knew this beloved officer; and may it somehow help to know that,even after all these years,that he is respectfully remembered and his sacrifice appreciated.

Vicki Hare, Telecommunicator
Salisbury NC PD

October 13, 2009

You will never be forgotten, rest in peace, God bless you and your family.

Detective M. Marks
Pittsburgh Police Department

April 13, 2009

Thank you for your willingness to serve your fellowman. It is hard to believe that the person who murdered you and the other game warden only had to serve 24 years in prison. Rest in peace my brother.

State Constable J.L. Green
S.C. State Constables

January 5, 2009

RIP

Anonymous

September 9, 2008

You are not forgotten.

D. E. King
Munfordville KY P.D

January 9, 2008

YOU ARE REMEMBERED TODAY AND THANK YOU SIR FOR YOUR SERVICE

VANDENBERGHE
MANCHESTER, NH

December 31, 2007

"The Badge"
He starts his shift each day
To respond to calls unknown.
He drives a marked patrol car.
A police officer he is known.
He's paid by the citizens' taxes
To make it safe on the streets.
But he usually has a second job
'Cause a waitress has his salary beat.
Now he doesn't know a holiday
'Cause he works all year round.
And when Thanksgiving and Christmas finally arrive
At his home he cannot be found.
He's cursed and assaulted often,
The one whos blood runs blue.
He seldom ever gets a thanks,
To some he's just a fool.
His friends are always other cops
'Cause people just don't understand
That underneath his badge and gun,
He's just another man.
He knows there might not be a tomorrow
In this world of drugs and crime.
And he gets so mad at the court system
'Cause the crooks don't get any time.
And each day when he leaves for work,
He prays to God above.
Please bring me home after my shift
So I can see the ones I love.
But tonight he stops a speeding car,
He's alone down this ole' highway.
It's just a little traffic infraction.
He does it everyday.
Well, he walks up to the driver's window,
And his badge is shining bright.
He asked the guy for a driver's license,
When a shot rang through the night.
Yes, the bullet hit its mark,
Striking the officer in the chest.
But the Department's budget didn't buy
Each officer a bullet-proof vest.
So he lay on the ground bleeding.
His blood wasn't blue - His blood was red.
And briefly he thought of his loved ones
'Cause in a moment the officer was dead.
In the news they told the story
Of how this officer had died.
And some who listened cared less,
But those who loved him cried.
Well, they buried him in uniform
With his badge pinned on his chest.
He even had his revolver,
He died doing his best.
Written By:
David L. Bell
Sergeant
Richland County Sheriff's Department
Columbia, South Carolina
Used with Special Permission of the Author
Copyright © 1999 - All Rights Reserved
and may not be duplicated without permission

Investigator David L Bell
Richland County Sheriff's Dept., Columbia, SC

October 15, 2007