Officer Benjamin F. Bish, Colorado Springs Police Department, Colorado

Officer Benjamin F. Bish

Colorado Springs Police Department, Colorado

End of Watch Sunday, June 28, 1896

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Benjamin F. Bish

Officer Benjamin Bish was shot and killed while checking an alley between Tejon Street and Cascade Avenue, south of Pikes Peak Avenue, in downtown Colorado Springs.

During his check, he observed two men he believed to be burglarizing nearby businesses. Officer Bish found a revolver in one of the men's pockets and began to escort them out of the alley and towards the police station. The other man then pulled out a concealed handgun from under his coat and shot Officer Bish once in the chest. Although mortally wounded, Officer Bish was able to return fire while laying on the ground.

A posse was formed shortly after the incident to search for the suspects. One of the suspects had committed suicide shortly after the incident and the other was arrested and sentenced to life. The man's sentence was commuted on July 1st, 1913, and he was released the following week after serving only 17 years in prison.

Officer Bish was a veteran of the Colorado State Militia.

Bio

Age 33
Tour Not available
Badge Not available
Military Veteran

Incident Details

Cause Gunfire
Weapon Handgun
Offender One committed suicide

burglary

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Most Recent Reflection

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Officer Bish,
On today, the 125th anniversary of your death I would just like to say thank you for your service and sacrifice for the citizens of Colorado Springs. And to your Family and loved ones, I wish to extend my deepest sympathy.

R.I.P.
USBP

Anonymous
United States Border Patrol

June 28, 2021