Denver Police Department, Colorado
End of Watch Saturday, February 11, 1933
Add to My HeroesJohn F. Dea
Detectives John Dea and George Schneider were shot and killed while attempting to question a man in connection with stolen tools.
The detectives had been called to an auction house by the owner who received the tools from the suspect. The owner suspected the tools were stolen and told the man to come back at 2:00 pm. When the man returned, he was met by the detectives and was asked to come to a back room in order to separate him from the patrons of the busy auction house.
Unbeknownst to the detectives, the man had been previously arrested for carrying a concealed weapon and threatening police officers. As they walked through the door, the man drew a handgun and shot both detectives several times before going on a shooting rampage in the auction house, killing one patron and wounding two others. When the shooter came within shooting range of the wounded Detective Dea, the detective shot and killed him.
Detective Schneider was killed almost instantly in the initial gunfire. Detective Dea was transported to a local hospital where he succumbed to his injuries.
He is buried at Mount Olivet Catholic Cemetery, Wheat Ridge, Jefferson County, Colorado.
Bio
- Age 57
- Tour Not available
- Badge Not available
Incident Details
- Cause Gunfire
- Weapon Handgun
- Offender Shot and killed
Most Recent Reflection
View all 11 ReflectionsDetective Dea is our Uncle. Please know you’ve not been forgotten and continue to be loved.
Helen Madrid
Niece
February 12, 2023
Recent LODD Deaths

Patrolman Joseph Barlow
McAlester Police Department, OK
EOW: March 20, 2023

Deputy Sheriff Jeremy McCain
Oklahoma County Sheriff's Office, OK
EOW: March 20, 2023

Detective Sergeant Mason Griffith
Hermann Police Department, MO
EOW: March 12, 2023

Master Trooper James R. Bailey
Indiana State Police, IN
EOW: March 3, 2023

Police Officer Andres M. Vasquez Lasso
Chicago Police Department, IL
EOW: March 1, 2023

Correctional Officer Jay Miller
Washington State Department of Corrections, WA
EOW: February 11, 2023

Detention Officer Kenneth Fowler
Pontotoc County Sheriff's Office, OK
EOW: February 19, 2023

Sergeant Christopher D. Fitzgerald
Temple University Police Department, PA
EOW: February 18, 2023

Police Officer Geoffrey Redd
Memphis Police Department, TN
EOW: February 18, 2023