United States Department of the Interior - Bureau of Indian Affairs - Office of Justice Services, U.S. Government
End of Watch: Tuesday, April 1, 1975
Age: 46
Tour of Duty: 7 years
Badge Number: Not available
Cause of Death: Gunfire
Date of Incident: April 1, 1975
Weapon Used: Rifle; .22 caliber
Suspect Info: Not available
Officer Phillip Lopez was shot and killed after responding to a domestic disturbance on the Ute Mountain Ute Reservation in Towaoc, Colorado. Officer Lopez had been called to this site repeatedly for reports of domestic violence. The male suspect drove to Officer Lopez's home and shot the officer multiple times with a .22 caliber rifle, killing him, and then fled the scene before committing suicide.
Officer Lopez had served with the Bureau of Indian Affairs for 7 years. He was survived by his wife and six children.