LITTLETON—
The story is one of those that has been passed on by word-of-mouth in southern Colorado for decades, since the 1938 murder of a Huerfano Deputy Sheriff. Metro State Professor, Dr. Joe Sandoval had heard about the story from his grandmother and other relatives for years. In fact, one uncle wrote a song about the killing. It was Sandoval who learned that Deputy Fidel Augirre's name was on the Fallen Officer's Memorial in Washington, D.C. but not on the state memorial in Golden."I was shocked to see that one of our state's peace officers was being slighted," said Sandoval. "That's why I began asking questions and actually tracked down and then wrote an op-ed for the Rocky Mountain News about the murder and son who was living in Littleton."
In talking with Fidel Jr. he found that the stories he had heard growing up were all true. Working with Gary Lopez, a genealogist from Ft. Collins, the trio began their "bucket list wish" to get the Deputy's name on the state memorial.
To that end they went to Pueblo to meet with the County Sheriff and County Commissioners who all agreed to pass a resolution and send letters to the nominating committee for inclusion next May.
"The effort was very successful, we were promised the help we needed to get the ball rolling a bit faster," said Sandoval. "After all, Fidel Jr. is 82 and who knows how long he'll be with us. It would be nice for him to be on hand to see his father honored."
Aguirre says he's happy now that the folks who have been opening doors for his dad took on the project. "If I pass away tomorrow, I will be very, very happy that dad is going to be honored."
