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Guard

Robert A. Wiggins

Colorado Department of Corrections — Colorado Springs, CO
Felonious
United States flag Colorado flag
End of Watch October 3, 1929
Age 65
The Vigil Panel 131 · Column 1 · Line 11 ›
Gender Male
Incident Service The Sacrifice Memorials 1 Department 17

Incident

Guard Wiggins was shot and killed by rioters after being held hostage for a day. Officer Wiggins served as the prison's blacksmith. He was survived by his wife and one son. Eight prison guards were killed when prisoners at the Colorado State Penitentiary rioted. A total of 2,000 rounds of ammunition were fired during the riot and large sections of the prison were destroyed by fire. In addition to the eight guards, the rioting prisoners also murdered two inmates. Three of riot's ringleaders committed suicide.

Survivors

He was survived by his wife and one son.

In Our Keeping

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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.
Guard Wiggins 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, Guard Wiggins.

— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993

Agency

Department Colorado Department of Corrections
Type Corrections
Location Colorado Springs, El Paso County, CO
Platform Identity cdcorr.elpaso.co.us.gov.nw

Service Record

End of Watch October 3, 1929
Age 65
Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Felonious
Weapon Gun

The Sacrifice · Felonious

Robert is one of 15,742 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.

34,102 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.

  3. See the roll
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Compare against
I

Time

In 1929, 205 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 12th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.

Every year on record · United States
II

Who

Robert was 65. Of the 14,219 killed feloniously in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 47; the middle age was 38.

Age at death
Where he stood among them
Age by years of service
III

When

October holds 7.9% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Thursdays: 14%.

By month
By day of the week
IV

How

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.

Every cause
Weapons recorded
V

His people

Colorado Department of Corrections has 18 officers remembered here, Robert among them.

Across the years
VI

Where

Guard Robert A. Wiggins

Colorado Department of Corrections · End of Watch October 3, 1929

Where the Name Is Cut

National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 63-W

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