Incident
Captain William Rooney was killed when he was stabbed in the heart during a prison escape of four inmates at the Colorado State Penitentiary in Canon City. Two of the suspects were apprehended three days later and the third was apprehended one day after that. When the third man, Captain Rooney's killer, was being returned to prison an angry mob of citizens took control of him and hanged him from a telephone pole. The fourth suspect remains at large. Captain Rooney was survived by his wife. It is believed he is buried in Cortez, Colorado.
Survivors
Captain Rooney was survived by his 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.
Night Captain Rooney served with the Colorado Department of Corrections.
Thank you for your service to the people of Colorado. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Night Captain Rooney.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Colorado Department of Corrections has lost 18 officers; 14 of them killed feloniously.
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, 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 1900, 1 officer at Colorado Department of Corrections was killed feloniously, the 2nd heaviest of 7 years on record. The heaviest was 1929, with 8.
In 1900, 2 officers in CO were killed feloniously, the 33rd heaviest of 113 years on record. The heaviest was 1929, with 9.
In 1900, 86 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 74th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1900, 89 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 77th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
William was 30. Of the 12 killed feloniously at Colorado Department of Corrections whose age is recorded, half were between 45 and 62.3; the middle age was 53.5.
William was 30. Of the 184 killed feloniously in CO whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 47; the middle age was 39.
William was 30. 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.
William was 30. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38.
When
January holds 7.1% of these deaths at Colorado Department of Corrections; October holds the most, 64.3%. Mondays: 14.3%.
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 77.8% of all 18 deaths at Colorado Department of Corrections, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was edged weapon, in 14.3% 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
Colorado Department of Corrections has 18 officers remembered here, William among them.
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Thomas Tobin Jul 4, 1899
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William C. Rooney Jan 22, 1900
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John B. Russell Jun 19, 1913
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Raymond Brown Oct 3, 1929
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John J. Eeles Oct 3, 1929
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Elmer G. Erwin Oct 3, 1929
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J. W. McClelland Oct 3, 1929
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C. Walter Rinker Oct 3, 1929
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Charles G. Shepherd Oct 3, 1929
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Robert A. Wiggins Oct 3, 1929
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Myron H. Goodwin Oct 10, 1929
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Victor Bryan McMillin Dec 21, 1961
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Marc A. Perse
Aug 15, 1994
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Eric Jason Autobee
Oct 18, 2002
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Mary Katherine Ricard
Sep 24, 2012
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Thomas Lynn Clements
Mar 19, 2013
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Joshua Eli Voth
Dec 4, 2019
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Christine Guerin-Sandoval
Sep 28, 2023
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 38-W
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