Sheriff Willis A. Davis

Willis A. Davis

Sheriff Willis Davis was shot and killed while attempting to serve an arrest warrant on a man for stealing a horse harness at a logging camp outside of Leadville, Colorado.

The wanted man, who whom Sheriff Davis had known since the man was a young boy, asked if he could get his sweater. He suddenly produced a .45 caliber pistol and opened fire on Sheriff Davis, striking him once in the side.

Sheriff Davis returned fire but did not strike the man. The subject surrendered after Sheriff David returned fire. Sheriff Davis succumbed to his wound two days later.

The subject was convicted of second degree murder and sentenced to 10 to 20 years in prison, but paroled after serving less than five years.

Davis was survived by his wife and seven children.