Leadville Police Department, Colorado
End of Watch: Thursday, July 22, 1880
Age: 34
Tour of Duty: Not available
Badge Number: Not available
Cause of Death: Gunfire
Date of Incident: July 17, 1880
Weapon Used: Handgun
Suspect Info: Pardoned in 1897
Sergeant Stewart and Officer John Carville were shot and killed while chasing a suspect who had brandished a gun at a local store. Officer Carville and another officer had responded to the initial report and as they entered the store the suspect fired at them, wounding Officer Carville. The second officer chased the suspect out of the store and engaged him in a running shootout. Sergeant Stewart, who was nearby and heard the commotion, also began to chase the suspect. The man suddenly pulled out a second revolver and shot Sergeant Stewart three times.
Officer Carville succumbed to his injuries the following day. Sergeant Stewart succumbed to his injuries five days later.
The suspect was apprehended, convicted of two counts of first degree murder, and sentenced to life. He was granted executive clemency and released from prison in 1897.
Sergeant Stewart was survived by his wife and two sons. He was a Union Civil War Veteran.