In the late summer of 1987, tragedy struck the Denver Sheriff's Department with the violent death of one of its own. Deputy Sheriff Daniel Ralph Stillwell, a 27-year-old male, was killed on September 6, 1987, while on duty at Denver General Hospital. His death was the result of a fatal encounter with an inmate he was assigned to guard.
On that day, Deputy Stillwell was responsible for the security of prisoners receiving medical treatment at the hospital.
One of these inmates, Timothy Vialpando, was at the hospital for a minor stab wound and was scheduled to stand trial for sexual assault a few days later. While in his room on the seventh floor, Vialpando began to cause a disturbance. When Deputy Stillwell entered the room to check on him, a struggle ensued.
During the altercation, Vialpando managed to overpower the deputy, taking his. 38 caliber service revolver. Vialpando then shot Deputy Stillwell twice in the chest. After disarming and shooting the deputy, the inmate used Stillwell's keys to remove his own leg irons and fled from the hospital room. His escape was short-lived, however, as hospital security guards pursued and captured him nearby, with the deputy's weapon still in his possession.
The man responsible for Deputy Sheriff Daniel Ralph Stillwell's death, Timothy Vialpando, was subsequently sentenced to life in prison for the murder. Deputy Stillwell was survived by his wife and daughter.
