Roll of Honor
Incident
Marshal Jesse Craig and Night Marshal Jake Kipper were shot and killed while attempting to arrest a man at the scene of a family disturbance. As they attempted to arrest the man his family started fighting with the officers. The subject was able to gain control of Marshal Craig's pistol and fatally shot both officers.
The suspect fled the scene but was arrested two days later by the mayor and acting city marshal. He was sentenced to death, but the sentence was later commuted to life. After the commutation the Colorado Supreme Court granted a new trial. On July 3, 1914, he was acquitted of both murders. In 1916 he was convicted of another murder and sentenced to life.
Marshal Craig had served with the agency for 2 years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife, daughter, and son.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-CO-86BE7137- 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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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
City Marshal Craig gave the Rocky Ford Police Department 2 years.
Thank you for your service to the Rocky Ford community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, City Marshal Craig.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
City Marshal Jesse B. Craig Sr. 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 Rocky Ford Police Department, 3 of 3 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. Jesse B. Craig Sr.'s cause is highlighted.
How Jesse B. Craig Sr. Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Jesse B. Craig Sr. is highlighted in Jul.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Jesse B. Craig Sr. was killed by officer's handgun.
Others Who Wore This Badge
2 officers from Rocky Ford Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
