In the winter of 1901, the life of William C. Downing, a 32-year-old Special Policeman, was cut short in Denver, Colorado. Employed by the Union Pacific Railroad Police for five years, he was tasked with patrolling the railroad yards, a vital and often dangerous duty. As a U.S. Army veteran of the Spanish-American War, Downing was no stranger to risk, but the threat he would face on Tuesday, January 29, 1901, was not from an adversary.
While on duty in the Union Pacific Railroad yards,
somewhere between 22nd and 23rd Street, Downing was attempting to board a boxcar. In the process of climbing onto the train, his own revolver accidentally discharged. The single bullet fired from his weapon tragically pierced his badge before striking him in the chest.
The wound proved to be instantly fatal. There were no suspects and no arrests to be made, as the investigation into his death concluded that it was a tragic accident. William C. Downing was survived by his parents, a brother, and a sister, leaving them to mourn his untimely and unfortunate demise.
