Officer Elijah Monroe Garretson - Copperas Cove Police Dept. - TX - True Life Hero

Elijah Monroe Garretson ("Eli")
- Jan. 11, 2026 -

(31354)

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Copperas Cover Police Dept. Patch

Resided:	Copperas Cove TX, USA
Born:	Mar. 18, 1998
Fallen:	Jan. 11, 2026
Race/Sex:	Caucasian Male / 27 yrs. of age
	Agency
Dept:	Copperas Cove Police Dept. - TX 302 E Ave E Copperas Cove, TX 76522 USA (25)547-3230
County:	Coryell
Dept. Type:	Municipal/Police
Hero's Rank:	Officer
Sworn Date:	6/2025
FBI Class:	Homicide - Ambush
Weapon Class:	Firearm
Agency URL:	Click Here
Badge:	118

Bio: Elijah Monroe Garretson was born in Lowell, Massachusetts, and raised in and around Manchester, NH.

Elijah, better known as Eli, graduated from Memorial High School in June 2016. After taking a year to assess Elijah went on to proudly serve his country in the United States Army. Stationed at Fort Hood, TX with the Headquarters and Headquarters company, 2nd Battalion, 12th Cavalry regiment, 1st armored Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division. Elijah left the Army in June 2024 with the rank of Sergeant after 7 years of service.

Elijah then went on to serve the Copperas Cove, TX community as a police officer. While attending academy Elijah was directly involved in saving the life of a fellow cadet experiencing sudden cardiac arrest. After that he graduated as the Academic Honor Graduate from his class at Central Texas Community College Academy June 27, 2025. He received the Academic Award for the highest grade point average in the class.

Elijah was first and foremost a father. He leaves behind a beautiful 5-year-old daughter Elliana. Elijah married Alexis Hering of Copperas Cove, TX on July 25, 2025, with a formal ceremony planned for April 12, 2026. Elijah loved spending time with his wife and daughter.

He was also a fan of sports at all levels, most recently of Texas high school and college sports but also a lifelong New England Patriots, and Boston Red Sox fan. Eli played several sports growing up but early on gravitated to soccer. He loved the intensity and competition and played indoor and outdoor soccer year-round. Eli also enjoyed collecting fossils and minerals, playing video games, spending time with his dog Oddie, listening to music and reading.

Survived by:

Wife
and daughter

Fatal Incident Summary

Offender:	No Info
Location:	TX USA
Summary:	Officer Elijah Garretson was ambushed and killed near the intersection of Lost Trail and Great Hills Drive in Copperas Cove while responding to reports of a suspicious person. After lengthy negotiations with officers, the suspect was discovered dead from a self-inflicted gunshot wound. The suspect was on probation and wanted on a DWI warrant.
Source:	Website Click
Source:	Obit Click

Last Updated: Jan. 16, 2026