In Memoriam

Sergeant Sean Patrick Renfro

Sergeant Sean Patrick Renfro, a 15-year veteran of the Jefferson County Sheriff's Office, was killed in the line of duty on January 3, 2015, on U.S. Highway 285 east of Conifer in West Jefferson County.

Sergeant Renfro, who was off-duty at the time, had stopped to assist a brother and sister with an infant who had been involved in a vehicle crash on the snowy roads. While helping direct traffic alongside Colorado State Patrol troopers, the driver of an SUV approaching the scene lost control of her vehicle, crossed over the center line, and struck Sergeant Renfro, a bystander, and one of the vehicles involved in the crash.

Sergeant Renfro was not just a hero in law enforcement. He was a hero on the youth football field as a coach and role model, teaching and inspiring sixth graders to achieve the best of themselves with class, sportsmanship, and honor. He is survived by his wife, four children, a sister, and other family members.

Sergeant David M. Baldwin

Sergeant David M. Baldwin, a highly decorated 27-year veteran of the Jefferson County Sheriff's Office, was killed in the line of duty on January 26, 2014, in north Jefferson County. He was struck on his police motorcycle by a wrong-way driver on Highway 93 at West 64th Parkway at approximately 10:30 a.m.

Baldwin was a military veteran who served in the U.S. Air Force before beginning his law enforcement career with the Sheriff's Office in 1987. He was promoted to sergeant in 1996 and worked varying assignments in the Detentions Division, Civil & Fugitive Unit, Bomb Squad, Patrol Division, and his most recent assignment in the Traffic/Motorcycle Unit.

Baldwin's passion for teaching was evident through his service as a firearms instructor, driving instructor, and instructor for the Basic and Advanced Law Enforcement Motorcycle School. The driver responsible, 83-year-old Kenneth Hosch, was traveling southbound on the wrong side of the road to pass another vehicle when the collision occurred. He was convicted of vehicular homicide. A section of Highway 93 was renamed the "JCSO Sergeant David M. Baldwin Memorial Highway" in his honor.

Sergeant Timothy Michael Mossbrucker

Sergeant Timothy Michael Mossbrucker was killed in the line of duty on April 28, 1995, in southeast Jefferson County. A patrol sergeant who had served with the Sheriff's Office since he was 19 years old, Mossbrucker was the first officer on the scene of a shooting at an Albertson's supermarket.

The suspect, Albert Petrosky, had entered the store and murdered his estranged wife and a co-worker, injuring a third person. When Petrosky fled to the parking lot and retrieved a rifle from his vehicle, Sergeant Mossbrucker approached the store to investigate. Petrosky opened fire from across the parking lot, and fatal shots penetrated Mossbrucker's patrol car windshield before he could exit his vehicle.

Sergeant Mossbrucker was only 36 years old. He was the beloved husband of Lynn and the father of six children: Matthew, Erin, Annie, Alex, William, and Timmy. Petrosky was sentenced to life in prison without parole and later died by suicide in Denver County Jail while awaiting prison transfer.

Deputy Sheriff Stephen Paul Miller

Deputy Sheriff Stephen Paul Miller was killed in the line of duty on June 17, 1987. He served as the observer aboard the Jefferson County 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 of Coal Creek Canyon searching for the young man when a probable downdraft caused the aircraft to crash into the trees. Deputy Miller was fatally injured in the crash. The pilot survived.

Deputy Miller's sacrifice reflects the inherent dangers law enforcement officers face during search and rescue missions in Colorado's challenging mountain environments.

Deputy Sheriff William James Truesdale

Deputy Sheriff William James Truesdale was shot and killed in the line of duty on June 18, 1986, in Lakewood, Colorado. Deputy Truesdale was providing security while moonlighting at Citywide Bank of Lakewood on south Wadsworth Boulevard.

Two masked, armed suspects entered the bank intent on robbery and were immediately confronted by Deputy Truesdale. He was shot and killed during the confrontation. The suspects fled but were later captured, and both were sentenced to life in prison.

Undersheriff Clarence Bunch Fugate

Undersheriff Clarence Bunch Fugate was killed in the line of duty on October 12, 1940, in Arvada, Colorado. He responded to Lee's Tavern to arrest Jack Carleton, the bartender, who had shot a patron earlier that evening. Two deputy sheriffs accompanied Fugate and stood by the doorway while the undersheriff entered the empty tavern.

During questioning about the location of Carleton's gun, the suspect told Fugate it was in the kitchen. Fugate searched the kitchen briefly, found no weapon, 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 survived and was sentenced to life in prison without parole. Undersheriff Fugate was the first Jefferson County Sheriff's Office member killed in the line of duty.