Roll of Honor
Incident
Town Marshal Hiram Bates was shot and killed while attempting to breakup a disturbance at a mining camp at approximately 1:00 am.
A group of miners had been drinking and creating a disturbance at the camp and Marshal Bates was called to the scene. As he attempted to clear the area he was shot once in the neck by a man armed with a .44 caliber revolver.
The subject who shot Marshal Bates was arrested by a deputy and the county sheriff and taken to jail in Cañon City. He was convicted of second-degree murder and sentenced to 17 to 20 years in prison.
Marshal Bates had only recently been appointed to the position. He was unmarried.
Town Marshal Bates, On today, the 120th anniversary of your death I would just like to say thank you for your service and sacrifice for the citizens of Coal Creek.
BPA Mike Casey United States Border Patrol(Retired) November 6th, 2024
In Our Keeping
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- 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.
Town Marshal Bates served with the Coal Creek Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the Coal Creek community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Town Marshal Bates.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Town Marshal Hiram Bates 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. Hiram Bates's cause is highlighted.
How Hiram Bates Compares
Offender Outcome
Sentenced to 17 to 20 years
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Hiram Bates is highlighted in Nov.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Hiram Bates was killed by handgun; .44 caliber.