Roll of Honor
Incident
Guard Erwin was killed during a prison riot. Eight prison guards were killed when prisoners at the Colorado State Penitentiary rioted. A total of 2,000 rounds of ammunition were fired during the riot and large sections of the prison were destroyed by fire. In addition to the eight guards, the rioting prisoners also murdered two inmates. Three of riot's ringleaders committed suicide.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-CO-0D13E9D9- 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.
Guard Erwin served with the Colorado Department of Corrections.
Thank you for your service to the people of Colorado. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Guard Erwin.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Guard Elmer G. Erwin 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 Colorado Department of Corrections, 14 of 18 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 77.8% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Elmer G. Erwin's cause is highlighted.
How Elmer G. Erwin Compares
Offender Outcome
Committed suicide
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Elmer G. Erwin is highlighted in Oct.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Elmer G. Erwin was killed by unknown weapon.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
17 officers from Colorado Department of Corrections are honored on badge.nw. Showing the 16 most recent.
