Fallen Officers
The Jefferson County Sheriff's Office has lost four officers in the line of duty since it was established. We will never forget the sacrifices that these individuals have made for our community. We honor them with this page and hope that it will serve as a beacon of hope that reminds us that these officers stood between us and evil. Their sacrifice was great and they will never be forgotten.
Timothy Michael Mossbrucker
1958-1995
Killed in the line of duty April 28, 1995 in southeast Jefferson County, Colorado
Sergeant Mossbrucker was the first officer on scene of a shooting inside a food store where two citizens were murdered. The gunman fled to the parking lot, obtained a large caliber rifle from his van and waited for the first police officer to arrive. The suspect, Albert Petrosky, opened fire on Sergeant Mossbrucker from across the parking lot as the sergeant approached the store. The fatal bullets impacted Sergeant Mossbrucker through the windshield of his patrol car. Petrosky was sentenced to life in prison without parole. He was awaiting transfer to prison when he committed suicide in the Denver County Jail.
Stephen Paul Miller
1946-1987
Killed in the line of duty June 16, 1987 on Scar Top Mountain in Coal Creek Canyon, Jefferson County, Colorado
Deputy Sheriff Miller was the observer in the Sheriff's Department helicopter when a call came in about a young man contemplating suicide on top of Scar Top Mountain in the rugged mountains of northwest Jefferson County. The helicopter was piloted over the rough terrain, searching for the young man when a probable down draft caused the helicopter to crash into the trees. Deputy Miller died as a result of the crash; the pilot survived.
William Truesdale
1933-1986
Killed in the line of duty June 18, 1986 in Lakewood, Colorado
Deputy Truesdale was shot and killed by two masked gunmen who were attempting to rob a bank in Lakewood, Colorado. When the men entered the bank with guns drawn, Truesdale confronted them. The men shot Truesdale and the deputy died immediately from his wounds. The suspects fled and were later captured. Both gunmen were sentenced to life in prison.
Clarence Bunch Fugate
1887-1940
Killed in the line of duty October 17, 1940 in Arvada, Colorado
Undersheriff Fugate went to Lee's Tavern in Arvada with intentions of arresting Jack Carleton, the bartender, who earlier in the evening shot a man in the bar for flirting with his wife. Fugate was accompanied by two deputy sheriffs, who stood by the doorway while the undersheriff entered the empty tavern and confronted Carleton. During a brief interview relating to the location of Carleton's gun, the suspect told Fugate that his gun was in the kitchen. Fugate searched the kitchen briefly, found no gun, and returned to the bar where Carleton was waiting. Without warning, Carleton opened fire on Fugate, killing the undersheriff. The two deputy sheriffs returned fire on Carleton, wounding him five times before taking him into custody. Carleton recovered from his wounds and was sentenced to life in prison without parole.
Last Modified:
Nov 14, 2012 09:18 AM
