Cecilia M. Cipriani-Benefiel
Incident
Lieutenant Cecilia Cipriani-Benefiel was shot and killed at her home, near the intersection of Dorchester Drive and West Navajo Street, when she surprised a burglary suspect. Her body was found the following day when she did not respond to telephone calls or arrive to work. Lieutenant Cipriani-Benefiel had served with the El Paso County Sheriff's Office for eight years.
Survivors
She is survived by two brothers.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-CO-503EFA44- 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.
Lieutenant Cipriani-Benefiel gave the El Paso County Sheriff's Office 8 years.
Thank you for your service to the Colorado Springs community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Lieutenant Cipriani-Benefiel.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Lieutenant Cecilia M. Cipriani-Benefiel 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 El Paso County Sheriff's Office, 4 of 6 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 66.7% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Cecilia M. Cipriani-Benefiel's cause is highlighted.
How Cecilia M. Cipriani-Benefiel Compares
Offender Outcome
Never identified
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Cecilia M. Cipriani-Benefiel is highlighted in Nov.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Cecilia M. Cipriani-Benefiel was killed by handgun; .22 caliber.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
5 officers from El Paso County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.




