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Cecilia M. Cipriani-Benefiel
Incident
Lieutenant Cecilia Cipriani-Benefiel was shot and killed at her home, near the intersection of Dorchester Drive and West Navajo Street, when she surprised a burglary suspect. Her body was found the following day when she did not respond to telephone calls or arrive to work. Lieutenant Cipriani-Benefiel had served with the El Paso County Sheriff's Office for eight years.
Survivors
She is survived by two brothers.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
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- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- 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.
Lieutenant Cipriani-Benefiel gave the El Paso County Sheriff's Office 8 years.
Thank you for your service to the Colorado Springs community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Lieutenant Cipriani-Benefiel.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
El Paso County Sheriff's Office has lost 6 officers; 4 of them killed feloniously.
Cecilia is one of 236 officers killed feloniously in CO, 65.4% of the 361 remembered there.
Cecilia is one of 15,742 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Cecilia 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 1990, 1 officer in CO was killed feloniously, the 66th heaviest of 113 years on record. The heaviest was 1929, with 9.
In 1990, 88 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 71st heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1990, 104 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 59th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Cecilia was 32. Of the 184 killed feloniously in CO whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 47; the middle age was 39. Cecilia had served 8 years; the middle length of service was 4 years.
Cecilia was 32. 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. Cecilia had served 8 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Cecilia was 32. Of the 15,853 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Cecilia had served 8 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
November holds 10.2% of these deaths in CO; October holds the most, 11.9%. Fridays: 13.1%.
November holds 8.1% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Fridays: 14.3%.
November holds 8.2% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Fridays: 14.3%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 66.7% of all 6 deaths at El Paso County Sheriff's Office, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 25% 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.
Her people
El Paso County Sheriff's Office has 6 officers remembered here, Cecilia among them.
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 51-W
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
5 officers from El Paso County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.
