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Incident
Sheriff Willis Davis was shot and killed while attempting to serve an arrest warrant on a man for stealing a horse harness at a logging camp outside of Leadville, Colorado. The wanted man, who whom Sheriff Davis had known since the man was a young boy, asked if he could get his sweater. He suddenly produced a .45 caliber pistol and opened fire on Sheriff Davis, striking him once in the side. Sheriff Davis returned fire but did not strike the man. The subject surrendered after Sheriff David returned fire. Sheriff Davis succumbed to his wound two days later. The subject was convicted of second degree murder and sentenced to 10 to 20 years in prison, but paroled after serving less than five years.
Survivors
Davis was survived by his wife and seven children.
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
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Sheriff Davis served with the Delta County Sheriff's Office.
Thank you for your service to the Delta community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Sheriff Davis.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Willis is the only officer of Delta County Sheriff's Office remembered here.
Willis is one of 236 officers killed feloniously in CO, 65.4% of the 361 remembered there.
Willis is one of 15,742 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Willis 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 1924, 3 officers in CO were killed feloniously, the 17th heaviest of 113 years on record. The heaviest was 1929, with 9.
In 1924, 225 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 4th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1924, 228 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 7th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Willis was 50. Of the 184 killed feloniously in CO whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 47; the middle age was 39.
Willis was 50. 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.
Willis was 50. Of the 15,853 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38.
When
October holds 11.9% of these deaths in CO, more than any other month. Saturdays: 13.6%.
October holds 7.9% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Saturdays: 16.3%.
October holds 7.8% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Saturdays: 16.2%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 100% of all 1 deaths at Delta County Sheriff's Office. The weapon recorded was handgun, 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 handgun, in 27.5% 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 handgun, in 23.4% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,102 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 20.9% of these deaths.
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 48-E
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
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