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Incident
Undersheriff Gary Caponera suffered a fatal heart attack while conducting a training course.
During the training, he became ill and was taken to a local hospital by fellow officers. He was pronounced dead at the hospital due to a massive heart attack.
Undersheriff Caponera was a U.S. Air Force veteran of the Vietnam War and had served in law enforcement for 28 years. He had previously served with the Arapahoe County Sheriff's Office and Adams County Sheriff's Office.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife, two grown children, and two grandchildren.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
neuraspine_01krbxtqjeey5b0ejea55dkap5- Stewardship
- 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. Air Force. One record, 2 gates. Gary 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.
Undersheriff Caponera gave the Bent County Sheriff's Office 28 years.
Thank you for your service to the Las Animas 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
Gary Richard Caponera served in the U.S. Air Force (1968â1972) before joining law enforcement.
The Sacrifice · Cardiac
Bent County Sheriff's Office has lost 3 officers; 1 of them lost to cardiac events.
Gary is one of 11 officers lost to cardiac events in CO, 3% of the 361 remembered there.
Gary is one of 1,307 officers lost to cardiac events in the United States, 4.7% of the 27,552 remembered there.
Gary is one of 1,309 officers lost to cardiac events worldwide, 3.8% of the 34,103 remembered here.
34,103 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1999, 1 officer in CO was lost to cardiac events, the 2nd heaviest of 10 years on record. The heaviest was 1981, with 2.
In 1999, 22 officers in the United States were lost to cardiac events, the 3rd heaviest of 139 years on record. The heaviest was 2014, with 24.
In 1999, 22 officers worldwide were lost to cardiac events, the 3rd heaviest of 139 years on record. The heaviest was 2014, with 24.
Who
Gary was 50. Of the 9 lost to cardiac events in CO whose age is recorded, half were between 39 and 55; the middle age was 50. Gary had served 28 years; the middle length of service was 18.5 years.
Gary was 50. Of the 1,249 lost to cardiac events in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 43 and 55; the middle age was 48. Gary had served 28 years; the middle length of service was 15 years.
Gary was 50. Of the 1,251 lost to cardiac events worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 42.5 and 55; the middle age was 48. Gary had served 28 years; the middle length of service was 15 years.
When
October holds 27.3% of these deaths in CO, more than any other month. Saturdays: 45.5%.
October holds 9.3% of these deaths in the United States; January holds the most, 9.6%. Saturdays: 14.3%.
October holds 9.3% of these deaths worldwide; January holds the most, 9.5%. Saturdays: 14.4%.
How
Cardiac deaths account for 33.3% of all 3 deaths at Bent County Sheriff's Office, the most common cause.
Cardiac deaths account for 3% of all 361 deaths in CO, the 3rd most common cause.
Cardiac deaths account for 4.7% of all 27,552 deaths in the United States, the 4th most common cause.
Cardiac deaths account for 3.8% of all 34,103 deaths worldwide, the 4th most common cause.
His people
Bent County Sheriff's Office has 3 officers remembered here, Gary among them.
Military Service
Gary Richard Caponera served in the U.S. Air Force (1968–1972) before joining law enforcement.
Visit Gary Richard Caponera’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
2 officers from Bent County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.