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Incident
Sheriff Roger Coursey was shot and killed while he and the Undersheriff made a high-risk traffic stop of a vehicle that was believed to have been used in a bank robbery in another county. The suspects opened fire on the two officers, killing Sheriff Coursey. The two suspects, a man and a woman, remained at large for several months until their bodies were found in a sleeping bag underneath a tree. Both had committed suicide with the same weapon used to murder Sheriff Coursey. Sheriff Coursey had served in law enforcement for 24 years in Wyoming, Utah, and Colorado.
Survivors
He is survived by his wife, two sons, and daughter.
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
24 years. You could have gone home.
Sheriff Coursey gave the Hinsdale County Sheriff's Office 24 years. Still answering calls at the end.
Thank you for your service to the Lake City community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Sheriff Coursey.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Hinsdale County Sheriff's Department has lost 2 officers; 2 of them killed feloniously.
Roger is one of 236 officers killed feloniously in CO, 65.4% of the 361 remembered there.
Roger is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Roger 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 1994, 2 officers in CO were killed feloniously, the 33rd heaviest of 113 years on record. The heaviest was 1929, with 9.
In 1994, 93 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 59th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1994, 99 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 63rd heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Roger was 44. Of the 184 killed feloniously in CO whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 47; the middle age was 39. Roger had served 24 years; the middle length of service was 4 years.
Roger was 44. 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. Roger had served 24 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Roger was 44. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Roger had served 24 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 100% of all 2 deaths at Hinsdale County Sheriff's Department. 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 52% of all 33,917 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 20.9% of these deaths.
His people
Hinsdale County Sheriff's Department has 2 officers remembered here, Roger among them.
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 29-E
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
1 officer from Hinsdale County Sheriff's Department are honored on badge.nw.
