Denver Sheriff's Department, Colorado
End of Watch: Wednesday, February 3, 1993
Age: 30
Tour of Duty: 7 years
Badge Number: Not available
Cause of Death: Gunfire (Inadvertent)
Date of Incident: February 3, 1993
Weapon Used: Officer's handgun
Suspect Info: Not available
Deputy Sheriff Norman Silva was accidentally shot and killed when his partner's weapon discharged after transporting a prisoner to the Denver City Jail.
The weapon had been unloaded for safety reasons. Deputy Silva had opened the cylinder and handed the weapon back to his partner, who snapped the cylinder shut.
Unbeknownst to both officers, one round had remained in the cylinder and when the officer shut the cylinder he inadvertently pulled the trigger, causing the weapon to discharge.
Deputy Silva had served with the Denver Sheriff's Department for seven years. He is survived by his wife, daughter, and son.