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Incident
Officer Samuel Townsend was shot and killed in the line of duty at the intersection of Harrison Avenue and Fifth Street. The shooter was arrested but acquitted.
Survivors
Officer Townsend was survived by his wife, son, and brother.
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
144 years is a long time for a name to go unread. Not today.
Officer Townsend gave the Leadville Police Department 8 years.
Thank you for your service to the Leadville community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Leadville Police Department has lost 7 officers; 5 of them killed feloniously.
Samuel is one of 236 officers killed feloniously in CO, 65.4% of the 361 remembered there.
Samuel is one of 15,742 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Samuel is one of 17,622 officers killed feloniously worldwide, 51.7% of the 34,102 remembered here.
34,102 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1882, 1 officer at Leadville Police Department was killed feloniously, the 2nd heaviest of 4 years on record. The heaviest was 1880, with 2.
In 1882, 4 officers in CO were killed feloniously, the 6th heaviest of 113 years on record. The heaviest was 1929, with 9.
In 1882, 45 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 143rd heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1882, 51 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 142nd heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Samuel was 33. Of the 5 killed feloniously at Leadville Police Department whose age is recorded, half were between 33 and 38; the middle age was 34. Samuel had served 8 years; the middle length of service was 2.2 years.
Samuel was 33. Of the 184 killed feloniously in CO whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 47; the middle age was 39. Samuel had served 8 years; the middle length of service was 4 years.
Samuel was 33. 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. Samuel had served 8 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Samuel was 33. Of the 15,853 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Samuel had served 8 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
March holds 20% of these deaths at Leadville Police Department; April holds the most, 40%. Tuesdays: 20%.
March holds 8.1% of these deaths in CO; October holds the most, 11.9%. Tuesdays: 13.6%.
March holds 7.5% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Tuesdays: 13.4%.
March holds 7.8% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Tuesdays: 13.3%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 71.4% of all 7 deaths at Leadville Police Department, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 60% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 65.4% of all 361 deaths in CO, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 25% 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 gun, in 22.8% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,102 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 20.4% of these deaths.
His people
Leadville Police Department has 7 officers remembered here, Samuel among them.
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 52-W
Others Who Wore This Badge
6 officers from Leadville Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
