Roll of Honor
Incident
Sergeant Dale McLaughlin was shot and killed at a domestic disturbance call at 10 pm. When Sergeant McLaughlin and another deputy arrived on the scene, the female had left and went across the street. The suspect was asked for identification, and when the suspect reached behind him and he said he had something else for them. The suspect pulled out a .380 caliber handgun and shot Sergeant McLaughlin and the deputy. The wounded deputy was able to return fire and kill the suspect. Sergeant McLaughlin was transported to the Denver General Hospital, where he succumbed to his wounds at 11:12 pm. Sergeant McLaughlin had served with the Adams County Sheriff's Office for 20 years. He was survived by his wife, three children, and grandchildren. One of his children later went on to serve in law enforcement, as well as one of his grandsons.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife, three children, and grandchildren.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-CO-008C39D4- 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. Army. One record, 2 gates. Dale is one person.
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Tributes
20 years. You could have gone home.
Sergeant McLaughlin gave the Adams County Sheriff's Office 20 years. Still answering calls at the end.
Thank you for your service to the Brighton community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Sergeant McLaughlin.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Military Service
Dale R. McLaughlin served in the U.S. Army (1949â1961) before joining law enforcement.
Sergeant Dale R. McLaughlin is one of 1 officers killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty across the full record of this memorial — 0% of all 97,772 officers honored here.
In CO, 235 of 360 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 65.3% of this state's fallen. That is 65.3 percentage points above the national rate of 0%.
At Adams County Sheriff's Office, 2 of 6 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 33.3% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Dale R. McLaughlin's cause is highlighted.
How Dale R. McLaughlin Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Dale R. McLaughlin is highlighted in Dec.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Dale R. McLaughlin was killed by gun.
Military Service
Dale R. McLaughlin served in the U.S. Army (1949–1961) before joining law enforcement.
Visit Dale R. McLaughlin’s page on salute.nw →
His full service record — units, decorations, where he served — is kept on salute.nw.
Others Who Wore This Badge
5 officers from Adams County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.
