National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial

Officer Rank: Corrections Employee

Memorial Panel: 39-W: 8

Department: Colorado Department of Corrections

End of Watch: October 10, 1929

Cause: SHOT

Age: 63

Years of Service: 11

Description: Raymond Brown, John J. Eeles, Elmer G. Erwin, John W. McClelland, Walter Rinker, Charles G. Shepherd, Robert Wiggins, Myron H. Goodwin were all killed in a deadly riot at the Colorado State Penitentiary. This incident was preceded earlier that summer by a series of riots in two New York prisons and the Federal Penitentiary in Leavenworth, Kansas. Large sections of the prison were destroyed by fire. It is estimated that over 2,000 rounds of ammunition were fired during the melee. Officer Goodwin, stationed in tower No. 1, threw away his keys when the attack started and began firing. Officer Goodwin is credited with shooting the ring leader of the disturbance, fatally wounding him. This action was a deciding factor in stopping the spread of a general break by the 1200 inmates. Officer Goodwin was shot through the lung and chest and died seven days later.