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Incident
Sheriff Lucien Morgan died after becoming ill while attempting to evict claim jumpers at a mine in the mountains west of Buena Vista.
During the rigorous hike, Sheriff Morgan became ill, and after deputizing two men, he stayed behind at a miner's cabin. The deputized citizens caught the claim jumpers, but when they returned, Sheriff' Morgan's health had worsened. The next day, after a night with fits of delirium, Sheriff Morgan left the cabin to walk to Buena Vista on his own. Eleven days later, his body was found buried in five feet of snow near the South Cottonwood Creek.
Sheriff Morgan was a Confederate Army veteran who had served with the Chaffee County Sheriff's Office for over a year and previously served as an Assistant Marshal and Sheriff in Mississippi.
Survivors
He was survived by his brothers and sisters.
In Our Keeping
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- 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. Army. One record, 2 gates. Lucien 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.
Sheriff Morgan gave the Chaffee County Sheriff's Office 1 year.
Thank you for your service to the Salida 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
Lucien J. Morgan served in the U.S. Army before joining law enforcement.
The Sacrifice · Accident
Lucien is the only officer of Chaffee County Sheriff's Office remembered here.
Lucien is one of 101 officers lost to accidents in CO, 28% of the 361 remembered there.
Lucien is one of 8,276 officers lost to accidents in the United States, 30% of the 27,552 remembered there.
Lucien is one of 10,096 officers lost to accidents worldwide, 29.6% of the 34,103 remembered here.
34,103 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1881, 1 officer in CO was lost to accidents, the 24th heaviest of 66 years on record. The heaviest was 1934, with 4.
In 1881, 6 officers in the United States were lost to accidents, the 142nd heaviest of 174 years on record. The heaviest was 1929, with 118.
In 1881, 8 officers worldwide were lost to accidents, the 159th heaviest of 200 years on record. The heaviest was 1930, with 131.
Who
Lucien was 45. Of the 79 lost to accidents in CO whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 44; the middle age was 37. Lucien had served 1 year; the middle length of service was 5 years.
Lucien was 45. Of the 7,718 lost to accidents in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 46; the middle age was 36. Lucien had served 1 year; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Lucien was 45. Of the 9,452 lost to accidents worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 45; the middle age was 36. Lucien had served 1 year; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
May holds 10.9% of these deaths in CO; July holds the most, 11.9%. Thursdays: 18.8%.
May holds 8.6% of these deaths in the United States; August holds the most, 9.4%. Thursdays: 14%.
May holds 8.4% of these deaths worldwide; August holds the most, 9.3%. Thursdays: 14.2%.
How
Accident deaths account for 100% of all 1 deaths at Chaffee County Sheriff's Office.
Accident deaths account for 28% of all 361 deaths in CO, the 2nd most common cause.
Accident deaths account for 30% of all 27,552 deaths in the United States, the 2nd most common cause.
Accident deaths account for 29.6% of all 34,103 deaths worldwide, the 2nd most common cause.
Where
Military Service
Lucien J. Morgan served in the U.S. Army before joining law enforcement.
Visit Lucien J. Morgan’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 31-WT
Also Remembered
Others Who Wore This Badge
0 officers from Chaffee County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.