Captain Leide William DeFusco, Pueblo County Sheriff's Office, Colorado

Captain Leide William DeFusco

Pueblo County Sheriff's Office, Colorado

End of Watch Friday, August 31, 2012

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Leide William DeFusco

Captain Leide DeFusco was killed in an airplane crash as he and John Barger, a retired Pueblo Police Department captain, searched for marijuana grows in the Wet Mountains.

A narcotics task force had raided two large marijuana plantations in the area two weeks earlier. The two were searching for additional growths nearby when radio contact was lost at approximately 9:30 am. A rescue team located the smoldering wreckage of the Piper Super Cruiser in rugged terrain in the San Isabel National Forest, approximately five miles below St. Charles Peak, in Custer County.

Mr. Barger was an experienced pilot who provided flight services to local law enforcement agencies.

Captain DeFusco had served in law enforcement for a total of 22 years, serving with the Pueblo County Sheriff's Office and previously served with the Pueblo Police Department. He is survived by his wife and four children.

Bio

Age 43
Tour 22 years
Badge Unit 7

Incident Details

Cause Aircraft accident

aerial patrol, aerial search, aircraft accident

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Most Recent Reflection

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Leido,

I miss and think about you everyday. I know as much as Wendy and your children and the rest of your family, but you had a huge impact on me, my family, the community and the baby Narc’s that you trained. You truly brought people together.

I can see the snow slide from my house and think about you everyday. Especially on this date, 08/31. I can’t believe it’s been 10 years.

I’ll work hard, earn peoples trust and live like you did. You would have wanted that.

Miss ya Brotha.

Pueblo Officer
LEO

August 31, 2022