Roll of Honor
Incident
Deputy Francisco Garcia was shot and killed when he encountered a murder suspect on a ranch just south of Trinchera, Colorado. The man was wanted for the murder of his 18 year-old girlfriend in Las Animas County.
Deputy Garcia had traveled to the ranch on other business, not realizing that the suspect was there. When they encountered each other the suspect warned the unarmed deputy to leave or he would kill him.
Deputy Garcia went to adjoining dining room where he ate his dinner. When Deputy Garcia came out of the room the suspect fired at him, shooting through his hat. The two began to struggle and Deputy Garcia sustained a fatal gunshot wound.
Other ranchers subdued the suspect and held him until another deputy arrived. He was taken to Raton, New Mexico, where he was convicted of murdering Deputy Garcia and hanged.
The suspect was eventually apprehended and hanged at Raton, May 26, 1906.
In Our Keeping
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BO-US-CO-54CF15AA- Stewardship
- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- April 2, 2026
- Last updated
- July 23, 2026
Honored here by 1 sentinel - 1 tribute.
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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Deputy Sheriff Garcia served with the Las Animas County Sheriff's Office.
Thank you for your service to the Trinidad community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Deputy Sheriff Garcia.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Deputy Sheriff Francisco Garcia is one of 17,623 officers killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty across the full record of this memorial — 54.2% of all 32,508 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 11.1 percentage points above the national rate of 54.2%.
At Las Animas County Sheriff's Office, 7 of 7 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 100% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Francisco Garcia's cause is highlighted.
How Francisco Garcia Compares
Offender Outcome
Executed in 1906
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Francisco Garcia is highlighted in Oct.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Francisco Garcia was killed by gun; unknown type.
Others Who Wore This Badge
6 officers from Las Animas County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.
