Patrolman Michael Angel Rosa

Patrolman Michael Angel Rosa | Rock Springs Police Department, Wyoming
Rock Springs Police Department, Wyoming
Patrolman Michael Angel Rosa

Rock Springs Police Department, Wyoming

End of Watch Saturday, July 15, 1978

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Michael Angel Rosa

Patrolman Michael Rosa was shot and killed by the city's director of safety after a heated argument.

He was in an unmarked police car outside the Silver Dollar Bar in Rock Springs before 1:00 a.m. He went inside, and when he returned, the officer was in the front of the vehicle, waiting for him. When he settled in the back seat, the subject and Patrolman Rosa had words. The subject shot Patrolman Rosa point-blank in his forehead while Patrolman Rosa's gun was still holstered.

It was alleged that the suspect killed Patrolman Rosa to keep him from testifying to a grand jury about corruption in the department. He was charged with Patrolman Rosa's murder but was acquitted at trial.

Patrolman Rosa was a United States Marine Corps Vietnam War veteran and had served with the Rock Springs Police Department for eight months as an undercover narcotics officer. He was survived by his wife, two daughters, and a son.

Bio

  • Age 29
  • Tour 8 months
  • Badge Not available
  • Military Veteran

Incident Details

  • Cause Gunfire
  • Weapon Handgun; .38 caliber
  • Offender Acquitted

retaliation

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I happened to stumble on to this article. Your father was a true hero, all of us owe people like father everything. He stood up and gave his life to do what was right. I lived in Rock Springs from 1974-1983. I was in the International Brotherhood of Boilermakers and in 1977-1978 we were building Unit IV at Jim Bridget Power Plant. I believe your dad Michel was working with us at the time as a permit hand. I didn’t know him but maybe said hi to him a few times. I didn’t know anything about what was going on until after Cantrel killed him, which in my mind was absolutely murder. Apparently Michel was investigating the Boilermakers and organized crime in Rock Springs at the time! Jerry Spence got Cantrel off a yr. later on a plea bargain, then wrote a book called “ Gunning for Justice “ The unjust walked away that day, but not in the next life! Michel Rosa was hero who will not be forgotten!

Joe Bellamy- April 11-2024

April 11, 2024

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