La Plata County Sheriff's Office, Colorado
End of Watch: Friday, October 13, 1972
Age: 40
Tour of Duty: 3 years
Badge Number: Not available
Cause of Death: Vehicle pursuit
Date of Incident: October 13, 1972
Weapon Used: Not available
Suspect Info: Not available
Deputy Sheriff Kartchner was killed in an automobile crash while in a high-speed pursuit on Vallecito Lake Road in Vallecito Lake.
Deputy Kartchner was driving southbound, pursuing a speeding vehicle, when his patrol car skidded on a tight turn. A vehicle traveling north struck the side of his patrol car, killing him instantly.
Deputy Kartchner had served with the La Plata County Sheriff's Office for three years. He was survived by his wife, two sons, a daughter, two stepsons, his father, two brothers, and six sisters.