Roll of Honor
Incident
Sheriff Willis Davis was shot and killed while attempting to serve an arrest warrant on a man for stealing a horse harness at a logging camp outside of Leadville, Colorado. The wanted man, who whom Sheriff Davis had known since the man was a young boy, asked if he could get his sweater. He suddenly produced a .45 caliber pistol and opened fire on Sheriff Davis, striking him once in the side. Sheriff Davis returned fire but did not strike the man. The subject surrendered after Sheriff David returned fire. Sheriff Davis succumbed to his wound two days later. The subject was convicted of second degree murder and sentenced to 10 to 20 years in prison, but paroled after serving less than five years.
Survivors
Davis was survived by his wife and seven children.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-CO-C9D529AF- Stewardship
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- 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.
Sheriff Davis served with the Delta County Sheriff's Office.
Thank you for your service to the Delta community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Sheriff Davis.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Sheriff Willis A. Davis 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. Willis A. Davis's cause is highlighted.
How Willis A. Davis Compares
Offender Outcome
Paroled after 4 years
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Willis A. Davis is highlighted in Oct.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Willis A. Davis was killed by handgun; .45 caliber.