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Incident
Police Officer Elwin Slater accidentally shot and killed himself while attempting to assist Police Officer Silas Marts, who had just been shot by a suspect. The two officers had responded to a disturbance involving a drunk man at a local store. As Officer Marts entered the store he was shot in the neck by the suspect with a .45 caliber pistol and killed instantly. As Officer Slater entered the store to help Officer Marts he began to draw his weapon which discharged and struck him in the leg. Officer Slater succumbed to his wound the next day.
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- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Police Officer Slater served with the Pueblo Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the Pueblo community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Police Officer Slater.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Accident
Pueblo Police Department has lost 12 officers; 4 of them lost to accidents.
Elwin is one of 101 officers lost to accidents in CO, 28% of the 361 remembered there.
Elwin is one of 8,275 officers lost to accidents in the United States, 30% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Elwin 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 1903, 1 officer in CO was lost to accidents, the 24th heaviest of 66 years on record. The heaviest was 1934, with 4.
In 1903, 12 officers in the United States were lost to accidents, the 133rd heaviest of 174 years on record. The heaviest was 1929, with 118.
In 1903, 22 officers worldwide were lost to accidents, the 129th heaviest of 200 years on record. The heaviest was 1930, with 131.
Who
Elwin was 47. Of the 79 lost to accidents in CO whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 44; the middle age was 37.
Elwin was 47. 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.
Elwin was 47. Of the 9,451 lost to accidents worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 45; the middle age was 36.
When
October holds 7.9% of these deaths in CO; July holds the most, 11.9%. Thursdays: 18.8%.
October holds 9.1% of these deaths in the United States; August holds the most, 9.5%. Thursdays: 14%.
October holds 9.2% of these deaths worldwide; August holds the most, 9.3%. Thursdays: 14.2%.
How
Accident deaths account for 33.3% of all 12 deaths at Pueblo Police Department, the 2nd most common cause.
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.
His people
Pueblo Police Department has 12 officers remembered here, Elwin among them.
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Alvin Phippenney Jun 30, 1879
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Moses Lovern May 11, 1891
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Silas Marts Oct 7, 1903
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Elwin M. Slater Oct 8, 1903
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William A. Shellman Aug 12, 1906
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Frederick H. Barner
Mar 21, 1909
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John Dunleavy
Jul 21, 1909
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Thomas Jefferson Evans
Sep 13, 1919
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Addison O. Hinsdale, Jr.
Oct 4, 1920
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Elmer A. Trout
Sep 23, 1935
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Thomas Martin Hanson
Dec 29, 1973
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Nicholas Karl Heine
Jun 21, 2008
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 49-W
Others Who Wore This Badge
11 officers from Pueblo Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
