Special Officer Stuart K. Harvey

Stuart K. Harvey

Special Officer Stuart Harvey was shot and killed and Patrolman Samuel Carpenter was seriously wounded while attempting to quell a riot at a polling station on election day.

From 1894 until 1908 the Denver Police Department was known for violence and corruption under a corrupt chief. The chief used his power to extort money from criminals and "played favorites" in enforcing the law. Trouble was expected before the November 6 election day. The republican sheriffs department and the democratic police department had been at odds with each other for several months. The police had sworn in 600 special officers and the sheriff swore in a like amount of special deputies. Orders were issued by the police board stating the police were not to recognize the authority of the deputies. During election the inevitable clash happened. Special Officer Harvey was killed, Patrolman Carpenter was seriously wounded, and several on both sides were wounded, some seriously, before in was over. No arrest were made and no one was ever charged with Special Officer Harvey's murder or shooting Patrolman Carpenter.

In 1908 the Denver chief was forced out and the department looked forward to brighter days with a properly ran department.

Patrolman Samuel Carpenter died of his wounds on January 17, 1910.