By Keith Dameron, Historian-Colorado Law Enforcement Memorial

Pueblo Mounted Officer William Shellman, 45, died on August 12, 1906, at St. Mary’s Hospital from the effects of being struck by lightning. Officer Shellman was patrolling his beat in the Bessemer district on Sunday, August 5, during an electrical storm when he was struck by lightning and knocked off his horse. He complained of feeling unwell all week and on Saturday night called police HQ to advise them that he was on his way to the hospital. He died there several hours later, early Sunday morning.

William A. Shellman was born November 23, 1860, and he married Matilda Nelson in 1883. Both were born in Sweden but had immigrated to the US when they were young. They resided in Pueblo for 22 years and Officer Shellman had been working for the Pueblo Police Dept. since May of 1905. He was also a member of the I.O.O.F. Lodge 17 and the W.O.W. Camp 49. Officer Shellman was noted as a popular, conscientious and reliable officer. He lived at 1408 Evans Ave. and the funeral was held there at 2:30 p.m. on the 13th. The service was conducted by the pastor of the Northern Avenue M. E. Church. The police, firemen, I.O.O.F. and W.O.W. accompanied the family to the burial at Roselawn Cemetery. Officer Shellman was survived by his wife, Matilda, and seven children.