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Curtis William Denton Jr.
Incident
Lieutenant Curtis Denton was shot and killed with his own weapon while attempting to stop three suspects from stealing a car from his apartment complex's parking lot in the 4200 block of Hessmer Avenue at 3:00 am. The suspects were able to overpower Lieutenant Denton, gain control of his .357 revolver, and shoot him. One of the suspects was later shot and killed by police, and the two other suspects were forced to join the military as part of their sentence. Lieutenant Denton was a United States Navy Vietnam War veteran and had served with the Jefferson Parish Sheriff's Office for 23 years.
Survivors
He was survived by his two daughters, father, brother, and five sisters.
In Our Keeping
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- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
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Also honored at salute.nw — U.S. Navy. One record, 2 gates. Curtis is one person.
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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.
Lieutenant Denton gave the Jefferson Parish Sheriff's Office 23 years.
Thank you for your service to the Harvey community, and 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
Curtis William Denton Jr. served in the U.S. Navy (1962â1966) before joining law enforcement.
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Jefferson Parish Sheriff's Office has lost 15 officers; 12 of them killed feloniously.
Curtis is one of 364 officers killed feloniously in LA, 61.2% of the 595 remembered there.
Curtis is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,552 remembered there.
Curtis 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 1989, 1 officer at Jefferson Parish Sheriff's Office was killed feloniously, more than in any other year.
In 1989, 5 officers in LA were killed feloniously, the 10th heaviest of 136 years on record. The heaviest was 1900, with 7.
In 1989, 97 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 55th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1989, 108 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 55th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Curtis was 44. Of the 12 killed feloniously at Jefferson Parish Sheriff's Office whose age is recorded, half were between 29.5 and 41.8; the middle age was 35.5. Curtis had served 23 years; the middle length of service was 9 years.
Curtis was 44. Of the 310 killed feloniously in LA whose age is recorded, half were between 31.3 and 48; the middle age was 40. Curtis had served 23 years; the middle length of service was 8 years.
Curtis was 44. 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. Curtis had served 23 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Curtis was 44. Of the 15,853 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Curtis had served 23 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
January holds 25% of these deaths at Jefferson Parish Sheriff's Office, more than any other month. Wednesdays: 41.7%.
January holds 8.2% of these deaths in LA; July holds the most, 11.3%. Wednesdays: 13.2%.
January holds 8% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Wednesdays: 12.9%.
January holds 7.9% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Wednesdays: 13.2%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 80% of all 15 deaths at Jefferson Parish Sheriff's Office, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was officer's handgun, in 16.7% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 61.2% of all 595 deaths in LA, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was officer's handgun, in 6% 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 officer's handgun, in 5.8% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,103 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was officer's handgun, in 5.2% of these deaths.
His people
Jefferson Parish Sheriff's Office has 15 officers remembered here, Curtis among them.
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Arthur George Miller
Nov 10, 1920
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Louis Cannaliato
May 5, 1965
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Kenneth Fleming Smith
Aug 31, 1976
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Merlin Eugene Brune, Jr.
Jul 12, 1977
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Robert Edward Cochran
Jan 30, 1978
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Joanne Couzynse
Nov 9, 1983
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Kathleen Angie Briscoe
Sep 7, 1988
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Curtis William Denton, Jr.
Jan 25, 1989
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Stephen Charles Newitt, III
Jan 24, 1996
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James Lee Clarius
Oct 5, 1996
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Joshua Everett Norris
Jul 5, 2007
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David Francis Michel, Jr.
Jun 22, 2016
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Alvis Joseph West, III
Apr 3, 2020
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Stephen Christopher Arnold
May 23, 2021
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Christopher Ohlmeyer
Jan 30, 2026
Where
Military Service
Curtis William Denton Jr. served in the U.S. Navy (1962–1966) before joining law enforcement.
Visit Curtis William Denton Jr.’s page on salute.nw →
His full service record — units, decorations, where he served — is kept on salute.nw.
Where the Name Is Cut
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Also Remembered
Others Who Wore This Badge
14 officers from Jefferson Parish Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.
