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Incident
Sheriff Juan Tafoya was shot and killed as he attempted to intervene in a dispute between three brothers and a saloon owner.
One of the cowboys had gone to the saloon to drink and gamble. At one point during the time in the saloon he felt that he had been cheated and left the saloon, warning that he would be back.
After he left the barkeep sent for Sheriff Tafoya, who went to the saloon and waited for the man to return. When the man came back he was accompanied by his two brothers. Despite the saloon owner offering to give the man his money back, he yelled that someone was going to die. At that point Sheriff Tafoya reached for the man's gun but was shot in the chest and head.
The brothers fled but were quickly located by a posse. Two of the brothers were shot and killed and the third was hanged after being captured.
Sheriff Tafoya had served as sheriff for only one year. He was survived by his wife and seven children. He is buried in Las Animas, Colorado.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and seven children.
In Our Keeping
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- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
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Tributes
154 years is a long time for a name to go unread. Not today.
Sheriff Tafoya gave the Las Animas County Sheriff's Office 1 year.
Thank you for your service to the Trinidad community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Las Animas County Sheriff's Office has lost 7 officers; 7 of them killed feloniously.
Juan is one of 236 officers killed feloniously in CO, 65.4% of the 361 remembered there.
Juan is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Juan is one of 17,631 officers killed feloniously worldwide, 52% of the 33,917 remembered here.
33,917 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1872, 1 officer at Las Animas County Sheriff's Office was killed feloniously, the 2nd heaviest of 6 years on record. The heaviest was 1896, with 2.
In 1872, 1 officer in CO was killed feloniously, the 66th heaviest of 113 years on record. The heaviest was 1929, with 9.
In 1872, 32 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 154th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1872, 36 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 151st heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Juan was 51. Of the 3 killed feloniously at Las Animas County Sheriff's Office whose age is recorded, half were between 38.5 and 45.5; the middle age was 40. Juan had served 1 year; the middle length of service was 5 years.
Juan was 51. Of the 184 killed feloniously in CO whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 47; the middle age was 39. Juan had served 1 year; the middle length of service was 4 years.
Juan was 51. 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. Juan had served 1 year; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Juan was 51. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Juan had served 1 year; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
February holds 28.6% of these deaths at Las Animas County Sheriff's Office; April holds the most, 42.9%. Tuesdays: 28.6%.
February holds 6.8% of these deaths in CO; October holds the most, 11.9%. Tuesdays: 13.6%.
February holds 7.4% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Tuesdays: 13.4%.
February holds 7.4% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Tuesdays: 13.3%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 100% of all 7 deaths at Las Animas County Sheriff's Office. The weapon recorded was gun; unknown type, in 57.1% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 65.4% of all 361 deaths in CO, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun; unknown type, in 8.5% 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 gun; unknown type, in 9.5% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 52% of all 33,917 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun; unknown type, in 8.5% of these deaths.
His people
Las Animas County Sheriff's Office has 7 officers remembered here, Juan among them.
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 58-E
Others Who Wore This Badge
6 officers from Las Animas County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.
