Rocky Ford Police Department, Colorado
End of Watch: Tuesday, July 4, 1911
Age: 59
Tour of Duty: 2 years
Badge Number: Not available
Cause of Death: Gunfire
Date of Incident: July 4, 1911
Weapon Used: Officer's handgun
Suspect Info: Acquitted
Marshal Jesse Craig and Night Marshal Jake Kipper were shot and killed while attempting to arrest a man at the scene of a family disturbance. As they attempted to arrest the man his family started fighting with the officers. The subject was able to gain control of Marshal Craig's pistol and fatally shot both officers.
The suspect fled the scene but was arrested two days later by the mayor and acting city marshal. He was sentenced to death, but the sentence was later commuted to life. After the commutation the Colorado Supreme Court granted a new trial. On July 3, 1914, he was acquitted of both murders. In 1916 he was convicted of another murder and sentenced to life.
Marshal Craig had served with the agency for 2 years. He was survived by his wife, daughter, and son.