Roll of Honor
Incident
Marshal Stitt was shot and killed after responding to a home where a man was drunk and creating a disturbance. As the marshal approached the man came out of the home and fell down. The marshal identified himself, and as he was helping the man up, the man shot him in the heart, killing him. The suspect, 59, was taken into custody by neighbors. He was convicted of murdering Marshal Stitt and sentenced to life in prison. In 1970 he was awarded a new trial after a complaint was filed stating he was denied due process and received improper representation. On April 17, 1970, the judge in his case dismissed the murder charge and ordered that he be immediately released, stating his decision was based on his poor health and he had committed no infractions in prison. Marshal Stitt had been appointed night marshal only 6 weeks earlier.
Survivors
He was survived by his ten children.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-CO-6A31EB65- 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.
Marshal Stitt served with the Paonia Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the Paonia community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Marshal Stitt.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Marshal John Armour Stitt 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 Armour Stitt's cause is highlighted.
How John Armour Stitt Compares
Offender Outcome
Released in 1970
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. John Armour Stitt is highlighted in Sep.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. John Armour Stitt was killed by handgun; .22 caliber.