William Green
Agency patch
Deputy Sheriff

William Green

Felonious
End of Watch April 1, 1896
The Vigil Panel 13 ›
Gender Male

Incident

Deputy William Green and Deputy William Kelly were shot and killed from ambush while searching a settlement used by a group of horse thieves.

The suspects burned both deputies' bodies after murdering them. Eight suspects were arrested in connection with the murders. Five were convicted and sentenced to death, but the sentences were later commuted to life.

"Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God." Matthew 5:9

Marshal Chris Di Gerolamo Federal Air Marshal Service March 2nd, 2016

In Our Keeping

Permanent identifier
BO-US-CO-44DEC0B9
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

130 years is a long time for a name to go unread. Not today.
Deputy Sheriff Green served with the Las Animas County Sheriff's Office.
Thank you for your service to the Trinidad community. Gone but never to be forgotten.

— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993

Agency

Location Trinidad, CO
Platform Identity lacso.lasanimas.co.us.gov.nw

Service Record

End of Watch April 1, 1896
Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Felonious
Weapon Shotgun
Offender Sentenced to life

Deputy Sheriff William Green 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 Las Animas County Sheriff's Office, 7 of 7 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 100% of this agency's fallen.

Las Animas County Sheriff's Office
7
of 7 officers
100% Felonious
CO — Statewide
235
of 360 officers
65.3% Felonious
Nationwide
17,623
of 32,508 officers
54.2% Felonious

National Cause Distribution

How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. William Green's cause is highlighted.

Felonious
17,623 (54.2%)
Accident
10,088 (31%)
Illness
2,974 (9.1%)
Cardiac
1,306 (4%)
Undetermined
260 (0.8%)
Suicide
256 (0.8%)
vehicular
1 (0%)

How William Green Compares

Offender Outcome

Sentenced to life

When Felonious Deaths Occur

Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. William Green is highlighted in Apr.

Jan
1,392
Feb
1,295
Mar
1,373
Apr
1,517
May
1,505
Jun
1,443
Jul
1,587
Aug
1,516
Sep
1,553
Oct
1,371
Nov
1,447
Dec
1,624

Weapons Used Against Officers

Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. William Green was killed by shotgun.

Gun; Unknown type
5,083
Handgun
2,077
Shotgun
922
Officer's handgun
909
Automobile; Alcohol involved
530
Rifle
518