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Incident
Corporal Gale Emerson was killed as a result of an arson fire at the 800 block of Maine Street in Durango at 4:00 am. Corporal Emerson had just finished his shift at 3:00 am but came back to the station to help when the fire call came in. He and a firefighter were attempting to evacuate an apartment building that was burning. During the evacuation, a wall exploded, killing Corporal Emerson and the firefighter. The suspect was convicted and sent to a mental hospital but was released in 1994.
Survivors
Corporal Emerson was survived by his expectant wife.
In Our Keeping
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- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Corporal Emerson served with the Durango Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the Durango community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Corporal Emerson.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Accident
Gale is the only officer of Durango Police Department remembered here.
Gale is one of 101 officers lost to accidents in CO, 28% of the 361 remembered there.
Gale is one of 8,275 officers lost to accidents in the United States, 30% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Gale is one of 10,100 officers lost to accidents worldwide, 29.8% of the 33,917 remembered here.
33,917 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1974, 2 officers in CO were lost to accidents, the 9th heaviest of 66 years on record. The heaviest was 1934, with 4.
In 1974, 98 officers in the United States were lost to accidents, the 9th heaviest of 174 years on record. The heaviest was 1929, with 118.
In 1974, 106 officers worldwide were lost to accidents, the 13th heaviest of 200 years on record. The heaviest was 1930, with 131.
Who
Gale was 24. Of the 79 lost to accidents in CO whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 44; the middle age was 37.
Gale was 24. Of the 7,718 lost to accidents in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 46; the middle age was 36.
Gale was 24. Of the 9,451 lost to accidents worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 45; the middle age was 36.
When
August holds 10.9% of these deaths in CO; July holds the most, 11.9%. Saturdays: 13.9%.
August holds 9.5% of these deaths in the United States, more than any other month. Saturdays: 14.9%.
August holds 9.3% of these deaths worldwide, more than any other month. Saturdays: 14.7%.
How
Accident deaths account for 100% of all 1 deaths at Durango Police Department.
Accident deaths account for 28% of all 361 deaths in CO, the 2nd most common cause.
Accident deaths account for 30% of all 27,551 deaths in the United States, the 2nd most common cause.
Accident deaths account for 29.8% of all 33,917 deaths worldwide, the 2nd most common cause.
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 41-W
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
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0 officers from Durango Police Department are honored on badge.nw.