The Ultimate Sacrifice

 

Since the establishment of an organized police force in Pueblo in 1870, twelve officers have died in the line of duty.

 

 

Officer Alvin Phippenny - Officer Phippenny was shot and killed while attempting to make an arrest in the Arkansas Saloon at 305 North Santa Fe Avenue on June 30th, 1879.

 

 

    

 

Marshall Casper Zweifel - Marshall Zweifel (Town of Central Pueblo) was stabbed to death while he was trying to arrest a counterfeiter outside the Bella Union Saloon, 100 South Union Avenue on July 24th, 1884.

 

 

 

Officer Moses Lovern - Officer Lovern was accidentally shot and killed when his gun fell to the floor and discharged inside the Charles Lonquist Saloon on May 10th, 1891. 

 

 

 

Officer Silas Martz and Officer Elwin Slater - Officer Martz was shot and killed as he attempted to arrest the owner of the Palace Drug Store, 1st and Main, for being drunk and disorderly on October 7th, 1903.  Dr. C.O. Rice was intoxicated and threatening people with a .45 revolver.  Officer Martz entered the store and tried to talk to Dr. Rice, but as he stepped forward, Rice shot him in the neck.  Officer Slater then entered the drug store and accidentally shot himself while he drew his weapon.  Officer Martz died immediately following the incident and Officer Slater died a day later from his wound.

 

 

 

 

Officer William Shellman - Officer Shellman was struck by lightning while he was on horseback patrol during a severe electrical storm.  He died from his injuries a week later on August 12th, 1906.

 

 

 

  Officer Frederick Barner - Officer Barner was shot and killed at the corner of 10th and Main as he was using a callbox to summon a paddy wagon to transport two burglary suspects he had just arrested on March 21st, 1909.

 

 

 

Detective John Dunleavy - Detective Dunleavy was shot and killed as he was walking with his daughter through a parking lot at Evans and Baystate on July 21st, 1909.  An investigation determined that Detective Dunleavy's murder was a planned assassination by individuals that were believed to be involved in organized crime activities that Detective Dunleavy was investigating.  Three suspects were arrested as a result of the murder investigation.

 

  Officer Jeff Evans - Officer Evans was shot and killed in the 500 block of West 2nd Street as he was investigating a loud disturbance between two men and a woman on September 13th, 1919.  Two migrant farm workers were arrested for the slaying within the hour, and taken to City Jail.  A short time later, a large mob stormed the jail, removed the two accused killers, and took them to the West 4th Street Bridge.  There, the crowd put ropes around the men’s necks and flung them from the bridge.  Nobody was ever prosecuted for the lynching.

 

 

Officer Addison Hinsdale - Officer Hinsdale was accidentally shot and killed by a fellow officer who was shooting at a hit and run suspect on the Northern Avenue Viaduct on October 4th, 1920.  The driver of the car was later arrested.

 

 

  Corporal Thomas Hanson - Corporal Hanson interrupted an armed robbery in progress at a 7-11 convenience store at 9th and Grand on December 29th, 1973.  As he entered the store, a masked gunman jumped up from behind the counter and opened fire, shooting and killing Corporal Hanson.  Corporal Hanson's partner, who was outside the store, returned fire through the front window and killed the suspect.

 

 

  Officer Nicholas Heine - Officer Heine and several other officers were running down Victoria Avenue near C Street to break up several bar fights when Officer Heine collapsed at approximately 2:00 am on June 21st, 2008.  His fellow officers performed CPR on him until he was transported to Parkview Medical Center, where he was pronounced dead a short time later.  An autopsy showed that Officer Heine died from a congenital heart problem.

 

2006 was truly a heartbreaking year for our local law enforcement community, as we lost 2 brothers from the neighboring Colorado Springs Police Department.  Detective Jared Jensen was shot and killed in the line of duty on 02/22/2006.  Officer Ken Jordan was shot and killed in the line of duty on 12/04/2006. 

We will miss them dearly.

     

Detective Jared Jensen

1976 - 2006 

 

    

Officer Ken Jordan

1974 - 2006