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Incident
Detective Sergeant John Dunleavy was shot and killed by two men who had planned his murder because of his police work. He was walking his daughter home near the end of his shift when the two men approached them and started insulting his daughter. When he moved his daughter behind him to protect her the two men pulled out pistols and shot him three times. Sergeant Dunleavy was taken to a local hospital where he succumbed to his wounds four days later. Both suspects were apprehended.
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- August 2, 2026
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- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Detective Sergeant Dunleavy served with the Pueblo Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the Pueblo community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Detective Sergeant Dunleavy.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Pueblo Police Department has lost 12 officers; 7 of them killed feloniously.
John is one of 236 officers killed feloniously in CO, 65.4% of the 361 remembered there.
John is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
John is one of 17,631 officers killed feloniously worldwide, 52% of the 33,917 remembered here.
33,917 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1909, 2 officers at Pueblo Police Department were killed feloniously, more than in any other year.
In 1909, 3 officers in CO were killed feloniously, the 17th heaviest of 113 years on record. The heaviest was 1929, with 9.
In 1909, 99 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 52nd heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1909, 103 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 62nd heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
When
July holds 14.3% of these deaths at Pueblo Police Department; September holds the most, 28.6%. Wednesdays: 28.6%.
July holds 9.3% of these deaths in CO; October holds the most, 11.9%. Wednesdays: 17.4%.
July holds 9.3% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Wednesdays: 12.9%.
July holds 9% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Wednesdays: 13.2%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 58.3% of all 12 deaths at Pueblo Police Department, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 42.9% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 65.4% of all 361 deaths in CO, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 25% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 57.1% of all 27,551 deaths in the United States, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 22.8% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 52% of all 33,917 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 20.4% of these deaths.
His people
Pueblo Police Department has 12 officers remembered here, John among them.
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Alvin Phippenney Jun 30, 1879
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Moses Lovern May 11, 1891
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Silas Marts Oct 7, 1903
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Elwin M. Slater Oct 8, 1903
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William A. Shellman Aug 12, 1906
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Frederick H. Barner
Mar 21, 1909
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John Dunleavy
Jul 21, 1909
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Thomas Jefferson Evans
Sep 13, 1919
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Addison O. Hinsdale, Jr.
Oct 4, 1920
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Elmer A. Trout
Sep 23, 1935
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Thomas Martin Hanson
Dec 29, 1973
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Nicholas Karl Heine
Jun 21, 2008
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 62-W
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
11 officers from Pueblo Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
