Roll of Honor
Incident
Sergeant Michael Moran was shot and killed while making a traffic stop near the intersection of South Broadway and San Juan Drive at about 11:25 am.
An occupant of the car shot Sergeant Moran before the suspects fled in the vehicle. Other officers located the two suspects approximately 1-1/2 miles south of the original shooting. One subject was shot and killed after opening fire on officers. A second subject was taken into custody.
Sergeant Moran was a U.S. Marine Corps Iraq War veteran and had served with the Cortez Police Department for 11 years.
Survivors
He is survived by his two daughters.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-CO-8A186817- 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 served 1985 to 1993. You served too, before the badge - different uniform, same idea. You go where you are sent and you do not get to pick the call.
Sergeant Moran gave the Cortez Police Department 11 years.
Thank you for your service to the Cortez community. Thank you for your service before it. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, brother.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Military Service
Michael Moran served in the United States military before joining law enforcement. Full service record available on salute.nw.
Sergeant Michael Moran 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%.
At Cortez Police Department, 2 of 2 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. Michael Moran's cause is highlighted.
How Michael Moran Compares
Offender Outcome
Shot and killed
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Michael Moran is highlighted in Nov.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Michael Moran was killed by gun; unknown type.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
1 officer from Cortez Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
