Police Officer John Carville

John Carville

Police Officer John Carville and Sergeant Lauriston Stuart were shot and killed while chasing a suspect who had brandished a gun at a local store on West Chestnut Street in Leadville at 2:00 p.m.

Officer Carville and another officer had responded to the initial report, and as they entered the store, the suspect fired at them, wounding Officer Carville. The second officer chased the suspect out of the store and engaged him in a running shootout. Sergeant Stuart, who was nearby and heard the commotion, also began to chase the suspect. The man suddenly pulled out a second revolver and shot Sergeant Stuart three times on Pine Street.

Officer Carville succumbed to his injuries the following day. Sergeant Stuart succumbed to his injuries five days later.

The suspect was apprehended, convicted of two counts of first-degree murder, and sentenced to life. He was granted executive clemency and released from prison in 1897.

Officer Carville was a Union Civil War Veteran, having served as a corporal with the 5th Maine Light Artillery. He served with the Leadville Police Department for over a year and previously served with the Lewiston (Maine) Police Department. He was survived by his wife.