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Incident
Patrolman Michael James was shot and killed with his own service weapon while making a traffic stop on U.S. 24, near Limon. The man he had stopped was a career criminal. While calling in the suspect's identification the man attacked him and gained control of his service weapon. The subject then shot him, left him on the side of the roadway, and disabled his patrol car before fleeing. A passing trucker reported the incident and called for help, but Patrolman James succumbed to his injuries before backup officers arrived. The subject, 27, was apprehended several hours later. He was convicted of second degree murder, robbery, and possession of drugs. Because he was a habitual criminal he received a life term for each conviction. Patrolman James had served with the Colorado State Patrol for over four years. He was survived by his wife and two sons. One of his sons went on to serve as a trooper with the Colorado State Patrol.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and two sons.
In Our Keeping
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- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Patrolman James gave the Colorado State Patrol 4 years.
Thank you for your service to the people of Colorado. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Patrolman James.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Colorado State Patrol has lost 30 officers; 11 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 27,551 remembered there.
Michael is one of 17,631 officers killed feloniously worldwide, 51.7% of the 34,117 remembered here.
34,117 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1975, 1 officer at Colorado State Patrol was killed feloniously, the 2nd heaviest of 10 years on record. The heaviest was 2015, with 2.
In 1975, 5 officers in CO were killed feloniously, the 3rd heaviest of 113 years on record. The heaviest was 1929, with 9.
In 1975, 163 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 21st heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1975, 181 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 19th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Michael was 32. Of the 9 killed feloniously at Colorado State Patrol whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 40; the middle age was 33. Michael had served 4 years; the middle length of service was 4.4 years.
Michael was 32. 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 4 years; the middle length of service was 4 years.
Michael was 32. Of the 14,220 killed feloniously in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 47; the middle age was 38. Michael had served 4 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Michael was 32. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Michael had served 4 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
December holds 18.2% of these deaths at Colorado State Patrol; January holds the most, 18.2%. Thursdays: 36.4%.
December holds 8.9% of these deaths in CO; October holds the most, 11.9%. Thursdays: 15.7%.
December holds 9.4% of these deaths in the United States, more than any other month. Thursdays: 14%.
December holds 9.2% of these deaths worldwide, more than any other month. Thursdays: 14.1%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 36.7% of all 30 deaths at Colorado State Patrol, the 2nd most common cause. The weapon recorded was officer's handgun, in 18.2% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 65.4% of all 361 deaths in CO, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was officer's handgun, in 4.7% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 57.1% of all 27,551 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 34,117 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was officer's handgun, in 5.2% of these deaths.
His people
Colorado State Patrol has 30 officers remembered here, Michael among them.
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Arnold B. Gulzow
Jun 26, 1941
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Wallace M. McCarty
Jan 24, 1946
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Harold Bechtelheimer
Sep 14, 1949
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Wesley Rosette
Jan 31, 1951
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Floyd E. Gresham
Feb 2, 1956
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Melvin E. Phillips
Feb 2, 1956
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Richard J. Cahalan
Sep 28, 1957
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Richard C. Edstrom
Oct 28, 1959
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Hiram V. Short
Jul 12, 1961
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Albert M. Alcorn
Jan 23, 1966
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Nicholas A. Carhart
Jan 23, 1966
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Gerald R. Williams
Dec 16, 1967
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Larry B. Enloe
Jan 8, 1968
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Thomas Ray Carpenter
Dec 27, 1973
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Richard P. Ross
Jul 10, 1974
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Michael Hardy James
Dec 18, 1975
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Willis Hugh Purdy
Jul 31, 1976
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Frances Irene Galvin
May 25, 1979
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James Kevin Farris
Nov 29, 1980
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Charles Andrew Fry
Sep 26, 1987
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Joseph Ardian Ynostroza
Dec 6, 1989
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Lyle Fredrick Wohlers
Nov 5, 1992
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Jason Lee Manspeaker
Jan 23, 2001
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Zachariah Earl Templeton
Oct 12, 2007
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Molly Tyler White
Nov 23, 2012
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Taylor Joseph Thyfault
May 23, 2015
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Jaimie Lynn Jursevics
Nov 15, 2015
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Cody James Donahue
Nov 25, 2016
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Daniel H. Groves
Mar 13, 2019
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William James Modén
Jun 14, 2019
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 28-W
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
29 officers from Colorado State Patrol are honored on badge.nw. Showing the 16 most recent.
