In the summer of 1909, a dedicated officer of the Pueblo Police Department, Detective Sergeant John Dunleavy, a 41-year-old male, met a tragic and untimely end in what was believed to be a premeditated assassination stemming from his police work. His death was the culmination of a series of threats he had received for his diligent efforts in enforcing the law.
On the evening of Wednesday, July 21, 1909, after finishing his shift, Dunleavy was walking his daughter home.
As they neared the 1500 block of Pine Street just before 11 p.m., two men approached them. One of the men made an insulting remark to Dunleavy's daughter. In a protective gesture, the detective sergeant stepped in front of his daughter. It was then that one of the men drew a weapon and shot him. Despite being wounded and falling to the ground, Dunleavy managed to fire five shots at his fleeing assailants, though to no apparent effect.
Dunleavy was rushed to Minnequa Hospital, where he underwent surgery for three gunshot wounds to his leg, hip, and just below his heart. The injuries, however, proved to be too severe. After fighting for his life for three days, Detective Sergeant John Dunleavy succumbed to his wounds at 2:30 a.m. on Sunday, July 25, 1909. Investigators believed the attack was a planned ambush intended for both Dunleavy and his partner, who had fortuitously escaped the same fate due to a sprained ankle earlier that evening. Dunleavy had been a prominent figure in the effort to suppress gambling and enforce liquor laws, and had also been successful in recovering many stolen items while monitoring pawn shops. These actions had earned him numerous threats, including 'Black Hand' letters warning him to cease his activities.
In the aftermath of the shooting, a widespread search for the suspects was launched. Descriptions of the two men were circulated to other police departments and railroad companies. The investigation led to at least 20 individuals being taken into custody. However, due to a lack of sufficient evidence, all of the suspects were eventually released. Ultimately, no one was ever tried or convicted for the murder of Detective Sergeant John Dunleavy, leaving a case of a fallen officer unsolved.
