DALE D CLAXTON
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Officer Rank: Patrolman
Memorial Panel: 47-W: 21
Department: Cortez, Colorado, P.D.
End of Watch: May 29, 1998
Cause: SHOT
Age: 45
Years of Service: 3
Description: Officer Claxton was shot and killed after he had stopped a stolen water truck. Three suspects, all militia members, used ammunition capable of penetrating bullet proof vests. The suspects fled from the scene and stole another truck. The suspects subsequently shot and seriously injured Deputy Jason Bishop and Sergeant Todd Martin of the Montezuma County Sheriff's Office in separate incidents. A massive manhunt began in the Four Corners region and lasted for several weeks. During that time, one suspect was found dead, having apparently committed suicide to avoid capture after wounding Deputy Kelly Bradford of San Juan County, Utah. The remains of the other two suspects were found in a canyon in Utah in 1999 and 2007, respectively.
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