Roll of Honor
Incident
Deputy Sam Brownlee was shot and killed while attempting to capture a suspect following a high-speed chase.
A deputy from neighboring Morgan County and a Wiggins police officer attempted to stop the vehicle after recognizing it as being connected to an earlier domestic violence case. The driver refused to yield and lead officers from multiple agencies on a high-speed chase across Morgan and Weld counties.
The pursuit at times exceeded 100 miles per hour before stop sticks were deployed, successfully disabling the vehicle in a residential area of Evans. The man attempted to escape and a struggle ensued between the him and several officers. The man was able to gain control of Deputy Brownlee's service weapon and shot him three times. The subject was shot by other officers at the scene and died later at a nearby medical center.
Deputy Brownlee had served with the Weld County Sheriff's Office for five years.
Survivors
He is survived by his wife, two children, and two stepchildren.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-CO-B2F27155- 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.
Deputy Sheriff Brownlee gave the Weld County Sheriff's Office 5 years.
Thank you for your service to the Greeley community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Deputy Sheriff Brownlee.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Deputy Sheriff Samuel Kent Brownlee 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 Weld County Sheriff's Office, 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. Samuel Kent Brownlee's cause is highlighted.
How Samuel Kent Brownlee Compares
Offender Outcome
Shot and killed
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Samuel Kent Brownlee is highlighted in Nov.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Samuel Kent Brownlee was killed by officer's handgun.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
1 officer from Weld County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.
