Roll of Honor
Incident
Patrolman Paul Major was shot and killed during a foot pursuit of a suspected car thief. He and his partner attempted to stop a speeding car after it ran a red light. During the pursuit, the officers realized the car had been stolen. When the car finally stopped on Lincoln Street near East Bayaud, several of the occupants in the vehicle fled on foot and Patrolman Major chased one of them. As he entered an alley on South Broadway he was shot in the chest and head. He died en route to the hospital. The suspect, 32, was apprehended and sentenced to life. He was paroled in 1983 but sent back to prison the same year for violating his parole. He was paroled again in 1986 and returned to prison in 1987 for violating his parole again. He was to be eligible for parole a third time in November 1987. Patrolman Major was a United States Navy WWII veteran and had served with the Denver Police Department for 15 years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife, son, and daughter.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-CO-2C694DF8- 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.
Patrolman Major gave the Denver Police Department 15 years.
Thank you for your service to the Denver community, and 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
Paul Lewis Major served in the United States military before joining law enforcement. Full service record available on salute.nw.
Patrolman Paul Lewis Major 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 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. Paul Lewis Major's cause is highlighted.
How Paul Lewis Major Compares
Offender Outcome
Sentenced to life
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Paul Lewis Major is highlighted in Jan.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Paul Lewis Major was killed by handgun; .38 caliber.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
73 officers from Denver Police Department are honored on badge.nw. Showing the 16 most recent.
