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Incident
Patrolman Lee Whitman was shot and killed by a prisoner who had been dropped off at the jail by another patrolman. Patrolman Whitman was working at the complaint desk and prisoner booking area at the time. The suspect pulled out a .38 caliber handgun from his boot, shot him, and then ran from the jail. The suspect, a recently paroled Colorado convict, shot and killed himself as a posse closed in on him hours later.
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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 Whitman served with the Greeley Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the Greeley community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Patrolman Whitman.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Greeley Police Department has lost 2 officers; 2 of them killed feloniously.
Lee is one of 236 officers killed feloniously in CO, 65.4% of the 361 remembered there.
Lee is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Lee 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 1935, 4 officers in CO were killed feloniously, the 6th heaviest of 113 years on record. The heaviest was 1929, with 9.
In 1935, 154 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 25th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1935, 156 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 30th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Lee was 30. Of the 184 killed feloniously in CO whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 47; the middle age was 39.
Lee was 30. 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.
Lee was 30. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38.
When
July holds 9.3% of these deaths in CO; October holds the most, 11.9%. Wednesdays: 17.4%.
July holds 9.3% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Wednesdays: 12.9%.
July holds 9% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Wednesdays: 13.2%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 100% of all 2 deaths at Greeley Police Department. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 100% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 65.4% of all 361 deaths in CO, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 27.5% 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 handgun, in 23.4% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,117 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 20.9% of these deaths.
His people
Greeley Police Department has 2 officers remembered here, Lee among them.
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 43-W
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
1 officer from Greeley Police Department are honored on badge.nw.