Incident
Marshal John Rennix was shot and killed while intervening in a dispute between on the city's Main Street. A saloon owner who was upset that citizens had testified against him in an assault case got drunk and challenged one of the witnesses. As Marshal Rennix attempted to quiet the man down he was shot in the stomach. The man then fled to the second floor or a nearby building and opened fire from a window, killing a citizen. The man then committed suicide as a posse surrounded the building. Marshal Rennix was taken to a sanitarium in Glenwood Springs where he died the next day.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and four daughters.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-CO-5DD95448- Stewardship
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- 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.
Town Marshal Rennix served with the New Castle Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the New Castle community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Town Marshal Rennix.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Town Marshal John M. Rennix 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%.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. John M. Rennix's cause is highlighted.
How John M. Rennix Compares
Offender Outcome
Shot and killed
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. John M. Rennix is highlighted in Nov.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. John M. Rennix was killed by gun; unknown type.