Posse Member James Hooker, Elbert County Sheriff's Office, Colorado

Posse Member James Hooker

Elbert County Sheriff's Office, Colorado

End of Watch Wednesday, March 24, 1875

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James Hooker

Posse Member James Hooker was shot and killed as he rode with a posse attempting to arrest a gang of outlaws.

Eight of the outlaws had been arrested and were being held in Kiowa as the rest of the posse attempted to locate the two ringleaders, who were wanted in Arapahoe County. When the posse located the men Posse Member Hooker and another posse member were able to get behind them and ordered them to drop their weapons.

A shootout ensued in which Posse Member Hooker was shot in the back as he attempted to seek cover.

The two outlaws escaped but were captured in Colorado Springs on April 17th, 1874, and taken to the Arapahoe County Jail. They escaped from the jail on July 28th, 1875. On August 8th, 1875, one of them was shot and killed by another posse and the second was wounded. The wounded man turned himself in two days later.

Posse Member Hooker was survived by his son, who served as a sheriff's deputy with the Elbert County Sheriff's Office.

Bio

Age 60
Tour 1 day
Badge Not available

Incident Details

Cause Gunfire
Weapon Gun; Unknown type
Offender Shot and killed

warrant service

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Most Recent Reflection

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As the current Capt. of the Elbert County Sheriff's Posse, I am proud to continue the legacy of Posse Member Hooker and the 14 other Posse Members on that day, March 24th, 1875.

While we do not know exactly when the first Elbert County Sheriff's Posse was formed, we do know that the Posse is been actively supporting the Sheriff off and on from March 24, 1875 to today Oct 19, 2022. That is 147 years, 6 months and 25 days.

Thank you Posse Member James Hooker for your service and ultimate sacrifice and we will continue to protect our County and Citizens as you did.

Capt. Ken Bettis
Elbert County Sheriff's Posse

October 19, 2022