Roll of Honor
Incident
Night Watchman Ellis was shot and killed when he interrupted a burglary at the local post office. He was shot by one of the suspects who was hiding behind a barrel. Despite being mortally wounded, Watchman Ellis returned fire as the suspects fled.
Night Watchman Ellis had served with the Brighton Police Department for only 2 weeks.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and two children.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-CO-A5194D0D- 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.
Night Watchman Ellis served with the Brighton Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the Brighton community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Night Watchman Ellis.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Night Watchman James Delmar Ellis 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. James Delmar Ellis's cause is highlighted.
How James Delmar Ellis Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. James Delmar Ellis is highlighted in Mar.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths.