10/09/2026
The Washington State Patrol Memorial Foundation (WSPMF) was established in 1982 to pay tribute to the memory of those officers who gave their lives while serving the citizens of the State of Washington.
The WSPMF is dedicated to preserving the legacy of Washington’s fallen officers and ensuring their sacrifice is never forgotten. Through remembrance ceremonies, memorial support, and ongoing outreach, WSPMF honors both the officers and the families who continue to carry their legacy forward.
To honor our fallen officers, a summary of each officer’s service, along with a brief family update, is published on the anniversary of the officer’s death. This annual tribute serves as a meaningful reminder of their dedication, their sacrifice, and the enduring impact they have on the Washington State Patrol family and the communities they served.
Henry Douglas Cossmann was born on September 17, 1900, in Dewitt, Iowa, to John Cossmann and Beoda Kirtley. He grew up with two brothers, Leo and James. The family moved to Lane County, Oregon in 1911. The three brothers enjoyed camping and hiking in the Oregon woods.
Cossmann attended college at the University of Oregon beginning in 1920. He became a drum major in the university’s cadet corps and left for college for a stint in the Army Aviation Corps, stationed in Florida as an aviation field patrolman. He would later return to school and marry fellow alum, Ruby Myrtle McWherter. The couple later moved to Washington State.
Cossmann worked as a teacher and as a driver for the BM&S Company in the Tacoma area before being commissioned with the Washington Highway Patrol on August 6, 1929.
On October 9, 1929, Patrolman Cossmann was involved in a motorcycle collision at the intersection of 46th Street and Park Avenue in Tacoma. He was transported to a local hospital and never regained consciousness, tragically succumbing to his injuries. At the time of his death, Patrolman Cossmann had served only two months with the Washington Highway Patrol.
Patrolman Cossmann’s wife, Ruby, would go on to teach in the Tacoma Public Schools before passing away in 1997. His mother, Beoda, passed away in 1940. His father, John, passed away in 1954. His brother Leo passed away in 1978 and his brother James passed away in 1989.
Patrolman Cossmann, along with our other thirty-three fallen officers, will be honored at the annual memorial dinner. The Memorial Foundation Dinner and Auction will take place on April 17, 2027, at the Three Rivers Convention Center in Kennewick, Washington. This meaningful evening brings together law enforcement, families, friends, and community members to remember and honor those who gave their lives in service to the citizens of Washington State. Through remembrance, reflection, and fellowship, their sacrifice continues to be recognized and never forgotten.
Please take a moment to remember Patrolman Cossmann and his family.
