In the late summer of 1987 Deputy Sheriff Daniel Ralph Stillwell, 27, was killed while on duty guarding prisoners at Denver General Hospital. On September 6, 1987, Stillwell was assigned to watch inmates receiving treatment. One inmate, Timothy Vialpando, was at the hospital for a minor stab wound and was due in court on a sexual assault charge a few days later. While Vialpando was on the seventh floor he caused a disturbance; when Stillwell entered the room a struggle followed and Vialpando seized Stillwell’s .38 caliber service revolver and shot him twice in the chest.

After disarming and shooting the deputy, Vialpando used Stillwell’s keys to remove his leg irons and fled the room. Hospital security guards pursued and captured him nearby with the deputy’s weapon still in his possession. Vialpando was later sentenced to life in prison. Stillwell was survived by his wife and daughter.

If anyone knew Deputy Stillwell, his family, or saw anything at Denver General Hospital that day, please share what is known.