Prev
Incident
Sergeant Michael Moran was shot and killed while making a traffic stop near the intersection of South Broadway and San Juan Drive at about 11:25 am.
An occupant of the car shot Sergeant Moran before the suspects fled in the vehicle. Other officers located the two suspects approximately 1-1/2 miles south of the original shooting. One subject was shot and killed after opening fire on officers. A second subject was taken into custody.
Sergeant Moran was a U.S. Marine Corps Iraq War veteran and had served with the Cortez Police Department for 11 years.
Survivors
He is survived by his two daughters.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
neuraspine_01krbxtmnesykcxc35pd3eh7z3- Stewardship
- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
Are you family? This record can be claimed and maintained by those who knew Michael. Claim this record.
Also honored at salute.nw — U.S. Marine Corps. One record, 2 gates. Michael is one person.
This page is permanent and free. No fee to view it, no advertising, no tracking, and no account required. It will not be taken down.
Tributes
I served 1985 to 1993. You served too, before the badge - different uniform, same idea. You go where you are sent and you do not get to pick the call.
Sergeant Moran gave the Cortez Police Department 11 years.
Thank you for your service to the Cortez community. Thank you for your service before it. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, brother.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Military Service
Michael Moran served in the U.S. Marine Corps before joining law enforcement.
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Cortez Police Department has lost 2 officers; 2 of them killed feloniously.
Michael is one of 236 officers killed feloniously in CO, 65.4% of the 361 remembered there.
Michael is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,552 remembered there.
Michael is one of 17,623 officers killed feloniously worldwide, 51.7% of the 34,103 remembered here.
34,103 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 2023, 2 officers in CO were killed feloniously, the 33rd heaviest of 113 years on record. The heaviest was 1929, with 9.
In 2023, 61 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 123rd heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 2023, 68 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 114th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Michael was 46. Of the 184 killed feloniously in CO whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 47; the middle age was 39. Michael had served 11 years; the middle length of service was 4 years.
Michael was 46. Of the 14,219 killed feloniously in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 47; the middle age was 38. Michael had served 11 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Michael was 46. Of the 15,853 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Michael had served 11 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
November holds 10.2% of these deaths in CO; October holds the most, 11.9%. Wednesdays: 17.4%.
November holds 8.1% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Wednesdays: 12.9%.
November holds 8.2% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Wednesdays: 13.2%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 100% of all 2 deaths at Cortez Police Department. The weapon recorded was gun; unknown type, in 50% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 65.4% of all 361 deaths in CO, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun; unknown type, in 8.5% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 57.1% of all 27,552 deaths in the United States, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun; unknown type, in 9.5% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,103 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun; unknown type, in 8.5% of these deaths.
His people
Cortez Police Department has 2 officers remembered here, Michael among them.
Where
Military Service
Michael Moran served in the U.S. Marine Corps before joining law enforcement.
Visit Michael Moran’s page on salute.nw →
His full service record — units, decorations, where he served — is kept on salute.nw.
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 38-E
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Also Remembered
Others Who Wore This Badge
1 officer from Cortez Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
