Celena Charise Hollis
Agency patch
Police Officer

Celena Charise Hollis

Denver Police Department — Denver, CO
Felonious
End of Watch June 24, 2012
Age 32
Tour of Duty 11 yrs
The Vigil Panel 161 ›
Gender Female

Incident

Police Officer Celena Hollis was shot and killed while attempting to break up a fight at a jazz festival in Denver's City Park shortly after 8:00 pm.

Two groups of people had begun to fight and Officer Hollis intervened, attempting to stop the fight. One of the subjects involved in the fight opened fire with a handgun, striking Officer Hollis in the head. She was transported to a local hospital where she succumbed to her wounds.

One subject was taken into custody at the scene and charged with first degree murder. He subsequently pleaded guilty to second degree murder and was sentenced to 26 years in prison.

Officer Hollis had served with the Denver Police Department for seven years and acted as the president of the Denver Black Police Officers Organization. She had previously served with the Detroit Police Department for four years.

Survivors

She is survived by her daughter.

In Our Keeping

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Stewardship
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Added to badge.nw
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.
Police Officer Hollis gave the Denver Police Department 11 years.
Thank you for your service to the Denver community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Police Officer Hollis.

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

Agency

Type Police Department
Location Denver, Denver County, CO
Platform Identity dpd.denver.co.us.gov.nw

Service Record

End of Watch June 24, 2012
Tour of Duty 11 yrs
Age 32
Gender Female

Incident Details

Cause Felonious
Cause Detail Gunfire
Weapon Handgun

The Sacrifice · Felonious

Celena is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.

33,917 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.

  1. See the roll
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Compare against
I

Time

In 2012, 66 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 109th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.

Every year on record · United States
II

Who

Celena was 32. 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. Celena had served 11 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.

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

When

June holds 8.1% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Sundays: 15.2%.

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 handgun, in 23.4% of these deaths.

Every cause
Weapons recorded
V

Her people

Denver Police Department has 74 officers remembered here, Celena among them.

Across the years
VI

Where

Police Officer Celena Charise Hollis

Denver Police Department · End of Watch June 24, 2012

Where the Name Is Cut

National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 10-E

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