Coal Creek Police Department, Colorado
End of Watch: Sunday, November 6, 1904
Age: 40
Tour of Duty: Not available
Badge Number: Not available
Cause of Death: Gunfire
Date of Incident: November 6, 1904
Weapon Used: Handgun; .44 caliber
Suspect Info: Sentenced to 17 to 20 years
Town Marshal Hiram Bates was shot and killed while attempting to breakup a disturbance at a mining camp at approximately 1:00 am.
A group of miners had been drinking and creating a disturbance at the camp and Marshal Bates was called to the scene. As he attempted to clear the area he was shot once in the neck by a man armed with a .44 caliber revolver.
The subject who shot Marshal Bates was arrested by a deputy and the county sheriff and taken to jail in Cañon City. He was convicted of second-degree murder and sentenced to 17 to 20 years in prison.
Marshal Bates had only recently been appointed to the position. He was unmarried.