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Incident
Deputy Sheriff Sumner Whitney and Deputy Ernest Conrad were shot and killed while attempting to arrest a gang of men who had robbed a hotel and several prominent citizens. Deputy Conrad was deputized by the Summit County sheriff in order to arrest the men at their remote cabin in Kokomo, Colorado. When Deputy Conrad arrived in town he deputized Sumner Whitney to help with the arrest. After gaining entry to the cabin the deputies ordered the men to return the stolen property, but were instead engaged in a gun battle. Deputy Conrad was shot and killed instantly and Deputy Whitney succumbed to his wounds several weeks later. Two of the robbers were also shot and killed, but the leader of the gang escaped. The leader of the gang was eventually apprehended and imprisoned until his death in 1931.
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- August 2, 2026
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- August 2, 2026
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Tributes
128 years is a long time for a name to go unread. Not today.
Deputy Sheriff Whitney served with the Summit County Sheriff's Office.
Thank you for your service to the Breckenridge community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Summit County Sheriff's Office has lost 2 officers; 2 of them killed feloniously.
Sumner is one of 236 officers killed feloniously in CO, 65.4% of the 361 remembered there.
Sumner is one of 15,742 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Sumner 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 1898, 4 officers in CO were killed feloniously, the 6th heaviest of 113 years on record. The heaviest was 1929, with 9.
In 1898, 89 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 69th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1898, 91 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 73rd heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Sumner was 41. Of the 184 killed feloniously in CO whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 47; the middle age was 39.
Sumner was 41. 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.
Sumner was 41. Of the 15,853 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38.
When
September holds 9.3% of these deaths in CO; October holds the most, 11.9%. Wednesdays: 17.4%.
September holds 9.1% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Wednesdays: 12.9%.
September holds 8.8% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Wednesdays: 13.2%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 100% of all 2 deaths at Summit County Sheriff's Office. The weapon recorded was gun, in 100% 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
Summit County Sheriff's Office has 2 officers remembered here, Sumner among them.
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 23-W
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
1 officer from Summit County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.