Patrolman Frank Sam Potestio

Frank Sam Potestio

Patrolman Frank Potestio died after contracting the Spanish Influenza while in the performance of his duties.

He and other officers had been assisting the Police Surgeon and Coroner with moving corpses of victims and other tasks due to the outbreak of influenza in the city.

At least 30 police officers, including the police chief, had come down with influenza and were confined to their homes. In October and November of 1918, over 6,000 citizens were diagnosed with the Spanish Influenza in Denver, with 500 deaths.

Patrolman Potestio served with the Denver Police Department for nine years.

Effects of the 1918-1920 Influenza Pandemic on Law Enforcement

Also known as "Spanish Flu" or "LaGrippe," the Influenza Pandemic of 1918 to early 1920, infected an estimated 500 million people worldwide—about one-third of the planet’s population—and killed approximately 675,000 Americans. The effect of the influenza epidemic in the United States was so dire that the average life span in the U.S. fell by twelve years. The four waves of the flu began in March 1918 and ended in April 1920. Many officers contracted this virus due to the requirements of their job.

The names of every officer who died in the line of duty from the Influenza Pandemic will likely never be known. Still, ODMP researchers continue to uncover new cases as part of our mission never to forget the fallen.

Please click here to view ODMP's Influenza memorial, listing all known fallen officers from the pandemic.