Roll of Honor
Incident
Patrolman Michael Rosa was shot and killed by the city's director of safety after a heated argument. He was in an unmarked police car outside the Silver Dollar Bar in Rock Springs before 1:00 a.m. He went inside, and when he returned, the officer was in the front of the vehicle, waiting for him. When he settled in the back seat, the subject and Patrolman Rosa had words. The subject shot Patrolman Rosa point-blank in his forehead while Patrolman Rosa's gun was still holstered. It was alleged that the suspect killed Patrolman Rosa to keep him from testifying to a grand jury about corruption in the department. He was charged with Patrolman Rosa's murder but was acquitted at trial. Patrolman Rosa was a United States Marine Corps Vietnam War veteran and had served with the Rock Springs Police Department for eight months as an undercover narcotics officer.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife, two daughters, and a son.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-WY-BAD52517- 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 served 1985 to 1993. You served too, before the badge - different uniform, same idea. You go where you are sent and you do not get to pick the call.
Patrolman Rosa served with the Rock Springs Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the Rock Springs community, and for your service before it. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, brother.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Military Service
Michael Angel Rosa served in the Marine Corps (1966â1972) before joining law enforcement.
Patrolman Michael Angel Rosa 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 WY, 41 of 63 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 65.1% of this state's fallen. That is 10.9 percentage points above the national rate of 54.2%.
At Rock Springs 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. Michael Angel Rosa's cause is highlighted.
How Michael Angel Rosa Compares
Offender Outcome
Acquitted
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Michael Angel Rosa is highlighted in Jul.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Michael Angel Rosa was killed by handgun; .38 caliber.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
1 officer from Rock Springs Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
