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Incident
Deputy Sheriff John Osborne was stabbed to death by two inmates who were attempting to escape from the Denver County Jail. The two, 30 and 33, had overpowered another guard, stabbed him and took his keys, and then came across Deputy Osborne, who was on his normal rounds. The two suspects overpowered Deputy Osborne and cut his throat with a 4-inch homemade blade. The youngest, an escapee from the Colorado Penitentiary, was being held after he was captured. He was charged with Deputy Osborne's murder. The other suspect was being held for a several hold-ups of liquor stores in Dallas, Texas. Charges, related to Deputy Osborne's murder, were later dismissed against him. The killer, 25, was convicted of murder and sentenced to life. He was released in 2011.
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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.
Deputy Sheriff Osborne served with the Denver Sheriff's Department.
Thank you for your service to the Denver community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Deputy Sheriff Osborne.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Denver Sheriff's Department has lost 7 officers; 2 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, 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 1974, 1 officer in CO was killed feloniously, the 66th heaviest of 113 years on record. The heaviest was 1929, with 9.
In 1974, 162 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 22nd heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1974, 178 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 22nd heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
John was 31. Of the 184 killed feloniously in CO whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 47; the middle age was 39.
John was 31. 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.
John was 31. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38.
When
August holds 6.4% of these deaths in CO; October holds the most, 11.9%. Wednesdays: 17.4%.
August holds 8.9% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Wednesdays: 12.9%.
August holds 8.6% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Wednesdays: 13.2%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 28.6% of all 7 deaths at Denver Sheriff's Department, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was edged weapon, in 50% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 65.4% of all 361 deaths in CO, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was edged weapon, in 1.7% 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 edged weapon, in 2.2% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,117 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was edged weapon, in 2% of these deaths.
His people
Denver Sheriff's Department has 7 officers remembered here, John among them.
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 51-E
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
6 officers from Denver Sheriff's Department are honored on badge.nw.
