Roll of Honor
Incident
Detectives John Dea and George Schneider were shot and killed while attempting to question a man in connection with stolen tools. The detectives had been called to an auction house by the owner who received the tools from the suspect. The owner suspected the tools were stolen and told the man to come back at 2:00 pm. When the man returned, he was met by the detectives and was asked to come to a back room in order to separate him from the patrons of the busy auction house. Unbeknownst to the detectives, the man had been previously arrested for carrying a concealed weapon and threatening police officers. As they walked through the door, the man drew a handgun and shot both detectives several times before going on a shooting rampage in the auction house, killing one patron and wounding two others. When the shooter came within shooting range of the wounded Detective Dea, the detective shot and killed him. Detective Schneider was killed almost instantly in the initial gunfire. Detective Dea was transported to a local hospital where he succumbed to his injuries. He is buried at Mount Olivet Catholic Cemetery, Wheat Ridge, Jefferson County, Colorado.
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BO-US-CO-0E34A200- Stewardship
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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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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Detective Dea served with the Denver Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the Denver community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Detective Dea.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Detective John F. Dea 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 Denver Police Department, 55 of 74 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 74.3% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. John F. Dea's cause is highlighted.
How John F. Dea Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. John F. Dea is highlighted in Feb.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. John F. Dea was killed by handgun.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
73 officers from Denver Police Department are honored on badge.nw. Showing the 16 most recent.
