Roll of Honor
Incident
Patrolman Harold Bechtelheimer was shot and killed after stopping a vehicle for speeding on Highway 85-87 north of Colorado Springs. Unbeknownst to Patrolman Bechtelheimer, the two occupants had stolen the vehicle earlier in the evening and had robbed a nearby liquor store. Before Patrolman Bechtelheimer caught up to them the men had stopped due to a mechanical problem with the vehicle. One of the suspects was looking underneath the front of the vehicle when Patrolman Bechtelheimer approached and was not observed by Patrolman Bechtelheimer. As he spoke with the driver the second man snuck around the vehicle and stuck a pistol in Patrolman Bechtelheimer's back. Patrolman Bechtelheimer spun around and struck the man with his flashlight before being shot in the chest. Both men, ages 16 and 21, were later apprehended and sentenced to life. On January 24th, 1955, the 16-year-old received another life sentence when he was convicted of stabbing to death a fellow inmate. He was still in prison in 1983. On March 6, 1968, the other man's sentence was commuted to 30 years making him eligible for parole in February 1969. Patrolman Bechtelheimer had served with the Colorado State Patrol for just over four years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and two children.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-CO-1C813194- Stewardship
- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
Are you family? This record can be claimed and maintained by those who knew Harold. Claim this record.
This page is permanent and free. No fee to view it, no advertising, no tracking, and no account required. It will not be taken down.
Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Patrolman Bechtelheimer gave the Colorado State Patrol 4 years.
Thank you for your service to the people of Colorado. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Patrolman Bechtelheimer.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Patrolman Harold Bechtelheimer 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 Colorado State Patrol, 11 of 30 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 36.7% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Harold Bechtelheimer's cause is highlighted.
How Harold Bechtelheimer Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Harold Bechtelheimer is highlighted in Sep.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Harold Bechtelheimer was killed by handgun.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
29 officers from Colorado State Patrol are honored on badge.nw. Showing the 16 most recent.
