Denver Police Department, Colorado
End of Watch: Saturday, February 11, 1933
Age:
Tour of Duty: Not available
Badge Number: Not available
Cause of Death: Gunfire
Date of Incident: February 11, 1933
Weapon Used: Handgun
Suspect Info: Shot and killed
Detectives George Schneider and John Dea were shot and killed while attempting to question a man in connection with stolen tools.
The detectives had been called to an auction house by the owner who received the tools from the suspect. The owner suspected the tools were stolen and told the man to come back at 2:00 pm. When the man returned he was met by the detectives and was asked to come to a back room in order to separate him from the patrons of the busy auction house.
Unbeknownst to the detectives, the man had been previously arrested for carrying a concealed weapon and threatening police officers. As they walked through the door, the man drew a handgun and shot both detectives several times before going on a shooting rampage in the auction house, killing one patron and wounding two others. When the shooter came within shooting range of the wounded Detective Dea, the detective shot and killed him.
Detective Schneider was killed almost instantly in the initial gunfire.
Detective Dea was transported to a local hospital where he succumbed to his injuries.