Roll of Honor
Incident
Officer Michael Conley and Trooper Hugh Purdy, of the Colorado State Patrol, drowned while assisting victims of the Big Thompson Flood. Officer Conley was off duty at the time and in the area of Big Thompson Canyon when he heard of the need for help. He offered his assistance and was responsible for the rescue of at least 60 people before being killed in the flood.
Survivors
Officer Conley was survived by his wife.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-CO-FC615D93- 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.
Are you family? This record can be claimed and maintained by those who knew Michael. 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.
Officer Conley served with the Estes Park Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the Estes Park community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Officer Conley.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Officer Michael Owen Conley is one of 10,088 officers lost to accidents in the line of duty across the full record of this memorial — 31% of all 32,508 officers honored here.
In CO, 101 of 360 officers were lost to accidents in the line of duty — 28.1% of this state's fallen. That is 2.9 percentage points below the national rate of 31%.
National Cause Distribution
How Accident compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Michael Owen Conley's cause is highlighted.
How Michael Owen Conley Compares
When Accident Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Accident deaths across the full memorial record. Michael Owen Conley is highlighted in Jul.