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Gov. Hickenlooper Honors Fallen Law Officers

GOLDEN, Colo. (CBS) - Gov. John Hickenlooper ordered flags lowered to half-staff Friday to honor Colorado's fallen law enforcement officers as he proclaimed May 6 Colorado Law Enforcement Day.

Seven names were added to the Colorado Law Enforcement Memorial including Weld County deputy Samuel Brownlee who was killed last November. Brownlee was shot by a suspect after a high speed chase ended in Evans.

The governor remembered the deputy as an officer and a family man. "His death is felt not only by the northern Colorado community where he lived but also by every single Coloradan," Hickenlooper said.. "We thank Sam for his everyday dedication to his community even when he faced the gravest of dangers. We owe a debt to Sam and every other Colorado law enforcement officer who put their lives in danger to protect the rest of us."

The governor also remember Limon police officer Jay Sheridan who was killed two months ago while serving an arrest warrant but whose name has not yet been added to the monument.

Hickenlooper told the families of the officers we should recognize and celebrate the work of our law enforcement officers every day.

"Law enforcement officers are integral parts of our community. They are our families, our friends, and our neighbors. Each day they ensure our safety in ways too numerous to recount. Ways often that we do not see or acknowledge. They are watching over our children in schools and uncovering meth labs that plague neighborhoods, keeping traffic moving safely in the morning and after Broncos games, investigating the most heinous crimes with goal of bringing justice to the victims.

"Each day they put themselves in harm's way, they do it quietly and with dignity. As a society we don't often take the opportunity to celebrate and recognize their daily efforts until we realize their ultimate sacrifice."

Six of the names are of historical officers killed decades ago. Black Hawk City Marshal Robert Clark was killed in 1869 while serving an arrest warrant for a man who assaulted a cook. Las Animas County Sheriff Juan Tafoya died in 1872 trying to protect saloon patrons. Trinidad police department officer John Solomon was killed while trying to disarm robbers in 1895. Las Animas County deputies William Green and William Kelly died in 1896 while trying to bust a cattle rustling gang and Denver police officer William Steam died in 1921 trying to break up an illegal dance hall.

The governor made special note of Steam's death who was an African-American. "Officer Steam served his community despite the serration of that era which kept only in black areas of Denver."

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