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Incident
City Marshal Charles Emerson was shot and killed while arresting two men for stealing a load of oats from a ranch. Marshal Emerson and the two suspects got onto a wagon to proceed to a barn for the investigation. The lead horses refused to move so the two suspects got off the wagon to try to lead the horses. At that moment one of the men took a gun from the second man. Seeing this, Marshal Emerson drew his weapon and exchanged shots with the man. Marshal Emerson was fatally wounded and succumbed to his wounds two days later. The shooter was convicted of Marshal Emerson's murder and hanged on December 13, 1895. The other suspect, 17, was convicted of murder and sent to prison.
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Tributes
131 years is a long time for a name to go unread. Not today.
City Marshal Emerson gave the Alamosa Police Department 11 years.
Thank you for your service to the Alamosa community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Alamosa Police Department has lost 2 officers; 1 of them killed feloniously.
Charles is one of 236 officers killed feloniously in CO, 65.4% of the 361 remembered there.
Charles is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Charles is one of 17,631 officers killed feloniously worldwide, 51.7% of the 34,117 remembered here.
34,117 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1895, 4 officers in CO were killed feloniously, the 6th heaviest of 113 years on record. The heaviest was 1929, with 9.
In 1895, 74 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 95th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1895, 77 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 97th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Charles was 39. Of the 184 killed feloniously in CO whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 47; the middle age was 39. Charles had served 11 years; the middle length of service was 4 years.
Charles was 39. Of the 14,220 killed feloniously in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 47; the middle age was 38. Charles had served 11 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Charles was 39. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Charles had served 11 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
January holds 7.2% of these deaths in CO; October holds the most, 11.9%. Mondays: 14.4%.
January holds 8% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Mondays: 13.8%.
January holds 7.9% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Mondays: 13.8%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 50% of all 2 deaths at Alamosa Police Department, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, 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 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 51.7% of all 34,117 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 20.4% of these deaths.
His people
Alamosa Police Department has 2 officers remembered here, Charles among them.
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 20-E
Others Who Wore This Badge
1 officer from Alamosa Police Department are honored on badge.nw.