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Michael Burch

Gender : Male

Age : 69

Race : White

Date : 03/28/2023

Location : Huerfano County Jail

City : Walsenburg

County : Huerfano

State : Colorado

Agency : Huerfano County Sheriff's Office

Officer(s) :Not Disclosed

Cause of Death : Asphyxiation

Event : Found dead in jail after altercation with deputy

OPEN RECORDS SUMMARY :

On March 25, 2023, Michael Burch, a 69-year-old retired corrections officer, was arrested in Walsenburg, Colorado, for menacing after reportedly exhibiting erratic behavior. While detained at the Huerfano County Jail on March 28, 2023, Burch was involved in an altercation with a deputy, during which he was tased and tackled into a metal bench, resulting in six broken ribs and a collapsed lung. Despite his complaints of severe pain and requests for medical attention, Burch did not receive adequate care. He was found dead in his cell on April 4, 2023. An autopsy determined the cause of death to be asphyxiation due to blunt force trauma, and the death was ruled a homicide. A federal lawsuit has been filed by Burch's family against multiple Huerfano County entities and officials, alleging deliberate indifference to his medical needs.

SOURCE LINKS :

https://www.cbsnews.com/colorado/news/colorado-jail-cell-death-michael-burch-lawsuit/
https://www.denver7.com/news/local-news/family-files-lawsuit-against-multiple-huerfano-county-entities-officials-for-mans-2023-in-custody-death
https://coloradosun.com/2025/03/27/michael-burch-federal-lawsuit-huerfano-county-jail/
https://www.cpr.org/2025/03/27/huerfano-county-inmate-death/