Police Officer Silas Martz

Silas Martz

Police Officer Silas Martz was shot and killed while responding to a disturbance and Officer Elwin Slater accidentally shot and killed himself while attempting to assist Officer Martz.

The two officers had responded to a disturbance involving a drunk man at a local store. As Officer Martz entered the store he was shot in the neck by the suspect with a .45 caliber pistol and killed instantly. As Officer Slater entered the store to help Officer Martz he began to draw his weapon which discharged and struck him in the leg. Officer Slater succumbed to his wound the next day.

The 59-year-old suspect, who was a prominent doctor, was committed to an insane asylum. After a few weeks he was released and resumed his practice in Denver.