Paonia Police Department, Colorado
End of Watch Saturday, September 27, 1952
Add to My HeroesJohn Armour Stitt
Marshal Stitt was shot and killed after responding to a home where a man was drunk and creating a disturbance. As the marshal approached the man came out of the home and fell down. The marshal identified himself, and as he was helping the man up, the man shot him in the heart, killing him.
The suspect, 59, was taken into custody by neighbors. He was convicted of murdering Marshal Stitt and sentenced to life in prison. In 1970 he was awarded a new trial after a complaint was filed stating he was denied due process and received improper representation. On April 17, 1970, the judge in his case dismissed the murder charge and ordered that he be immediately released, stating his decision was based on his poor health and he had committed no infractions in prison.
Marshal Stitt had been appointed night marshal only 6 weeks earlier. He was survived by his ten children.
Bio
- Age 55
- Tour 1 month, 2 weeks
- Badge Not available
Incident Details
- Cause Gunfire
- Weapon Handgun; .22 caliber
- Offender Released in 1970
Most Recent Reflection
View all 10 ReflectionsI am John Sandoval Sr, a grandson of Marshall John Stitt. My mother was Ruthy Stitt. I am the oldest of the 7 children. I have often reflected on my grandpa and him as a police officer. What his duties were and what it would have be like, to have walked beside him as a little kid. You are missed but always in my thoughts when I reminess on my families past. Rest in peace grandpa.
John M Sandoval Sr.
Grandson
October 25, 2021
Recent LODD Deaths
![Segus R. Jolivette](https://www.odmp.org/media/thumb/125/officer/27106/c_2024_jolivette.jpg)
Senior Corporal Segus R. Jolivette
Lafayette Police Department, LA
EOW: July 25, 2024
![Mohamed Said](https://www.odmp.org/media/thumb/125/officer/27101/police-officer-mohamed-said.jpg)
Corporal Mohamed Said
Melvindale Police Department, MI
EOW: July 21, 2024
![Edgar Ordonez](https://www.odmp.org/media/thumb/125/officer/27100/c_edgar-ordonez.jpg)
Probationary Police Officer Edgar Ordonez
New York City Police Department, NY
EOW: July 10, 2024
![Robert William Sumner](https://www.odmp.org/media/thumb/125/officer/27096/c_robert-sumner.png)
Corporal Robert William Sumner
Oklahoma Department of Corrections, OK
EOW: July 14, 2024
![Matthew Bowen](https://www.odmp.org/media/thumb/125/officer/27095/police-officer-matthew-bowen.jpg)
Police Officer Matthew Bowen
Vacaville Police Department, CA
EOW: July 11, 2024
Deputy Sheriff Fernando Esqueda
Harris County Sheriff's Office, TX
EOW: July 11, 2024
![Kevin Linn Palmer](https://www.odmp.org/media/thumb/125/officer/27091/c_k._palmer.jpg)
Assistant Chief Kevin Linn Palmer
North Richland Hills Police Department, TX
EOW: May 1, 2024
![Jamieson Ritter](https://www.odmp.org/media/thumb/125/officer/27085/police-officer-jamieson-ritter.jpg)
Police Officer Jamieson Ritter
Cleveland Division of Police, OH
EOW: July 4, 2024
![William Butler, Jr.](https://www.odmp.org/media/thumb/125/officer/27084/c_butler-bill.jpg)
Deputy Sheriff William Butler, Jr.
Hillsdale County Sheriff's Office, MI
EOW: June 27, 2024