In the late summer of 1908, Denver Policeman William P. Stephens, a 44-year-old Caucasian male, met an untimely and violent end. On August 25th, his life was cut short by a fatal gunshot while he was dutifully investigating a potential crime. Stephens had observed a man on horseback leading another horse, a sight that aroused his suspicion of horse thievery. As he began to question the man, the encounter escalated tragically.
The suspect, without warning, drew a firearm and shot Stephens, inflicting a mortal wound.
The perpetrator, later identified as John Bradley, fled the scene immediately after the shooting. In his haste to escape, he sold one of the horses. This transaction, however, would prove to be his undoing. The new owner of the horse discovered a bullet lodged in the animal and promptly alerted the authorities. This crucial piece of evidence allowed the police to trace the horse back to Bradley. An investigation led them to a ranch situated to the east of the city where Bradley was subsequently apprehended.
The arrest of John Bradley brought a swift, albeit tumultuous, conclusion to the case. Following his capture, he was taken to the city jail. The anger among Stephens' fellow officers was palpable, leading to a tense confrontation where some sought immediate retribution. Cooler heads ultimately prevailed, and Bradley was secured in his cell. He was later convicted for the murder of Policeman William P. Stephens and spent the remainder of his life in prison, where he died in 1930. William P. Stephens was survived by his wife and four children.
