Roll of Honor
Incident
Policeman John Solomon was shot and killed when he interrupted a robbery at the Horse Shoe Club, a gambling hall next to the Columbian Hotel in Trinidad, while making his rounds.
As he walked into the establishment one of the subjects shot him in the back. The subjects fled the scene but were later apprehended after being tracked by bloodhounds. A total of eight suspects were arrested. Three of them were convicted of murder, sentenced to death, and subsequently executed on June 26th, 1896, in Colorado's first triple hanging. The other five suspects were charged with being accessories.
Policeman Solomon had served with the Trinidad Police Department for 12 years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and four children.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-CO-271F0F60- 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
131 years is a long time for a name to go unread. Not today.
Policeman Solomon gave the Trinidad Police Department 12 years.
Thank you for your service to the Trinidad community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Policeman John Solomon 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 Trinidad 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. John Solomon's cause is highlighted.
How John Solomon Compares
Offender Outcome
Executed in 1896
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. John Solomon is highlighted in Nov.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. John Solomon was killed by gun; unknown type.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
1 officer from Trinidad Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
