Alamosa Police Department, Colorado
End of Watch: Monday, January 21, 1895
Age: 39
Tour of Duty: Not available
Badge Number: Not available
Cause of Death: Gunfire
Date of Incident: January 19, 1895
Weapon Used: Gun; Unknown type
Suspect Info: Executed in 1895
City Marshal Charles Emerson was shot and killed while arresting two men for stealing a load of oats from a ranch.
Marshal Emerson and the two suspects got onto a wagon to proceed to a barn for the investigation. The lead horses refused to move so the two suspects got off the wagon to try to lead the horses. At that moment one of the men took a gun from the second man. Seeing this, Marshal Emerson drew his weapon and exchanged shots with the man. Marshal Emerson was fatally wounded and succumbed to his wounds two days later.
The shooter was convicted of Marshal Emerson's murder and hanged on December 13, 1895. The other suspect, 17, was convicted of murder and sent to prison.