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Incident
Sheriff William Dunlap was shot and killed with his own weapon when he was overpowered by two prisoners and disarmed while transporting them to Cortez. The two prisoners had been housed in the jail at Glenwood Springs for safety reasons. Sheriff Dunlap and a deputy were returning them to Cortez to attend an arraignment when one of the men reached over the seat, grabbed Sheriff Dunlap's service weapon, and shot him in the back. The two prisoners then disarmed the deputy before escaping in the sheriff's car. Both prisoners were brothers responsible for the starvation death of an aged sheepman whom they had robbed, gagged, tied up, and then left to die in his cabin. Both brothers were arrested and convicted of Sheriff Dunlap's murder. On February 14th, 1936, one of the brothers was executed in the gas chamber. The other was sentenced to two life terms.
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Honored here by 1 tribute.
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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Sheriff Dunlap served with the Montezuma County Sheriff's Office.
Thank you for your service to the Cortez community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Sheriff Dunlap.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
William is the only officer of Montezuma County Sheriff's Office remembered here.
William is one of 236 officers killed feloniously in CO, 65.4% of the 361 remembered there.
William is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
William 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 1935, 4 officers in CO were killed feloniously, the 6th heaviest of 113 years on record. The heaviest was 1929, with 9.
In 1935, 154 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 25th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1935, 156 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 30th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
When
July holds 9.3% of these deaths in CO; October holds the most, 11.9%. Mondays: 14.4%.
July holds 9.3% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Mondays: 13.8%.
July holds 9% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Mondays: 13.8%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 100% of all 1 deaths at Montezuma County Sheriff's Office. The weapon recorded was officer's handgun, in 100% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 65.4% of all 361 deaths in CO, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was officer's handgun, in 4.7% 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 officer's handgun, in 5.8% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 52% of all 33,917 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was officer's handgun, in 5.2% of these deaths.
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 53-W
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
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