5 most decorated and honored lawmen in the history of Colorado Springs
1. Sheriff Ezekiel “Mountain Hawk” Langley (1875–1890)
Claim to Fame: Known as the “Protector of Pikes Peak,” Sheriff Langley was famous for his ability to track fugitives across treacherous mountain terrain. He reportedly once followed a gang of horse thieves for 200 miles in a blizzard, bringing them back to Colorado Springs on foot after their horses gave out.
Decorations:
- Awarded the Golden Badge of Valor for single-handedly disarming a saloon brawl without firing a shot—he used a harmonica to distract the brawlers instead.
- Honored with a bronze statue near Garden of the Gods, though locals claim it looks more like his horse than him.
Legacy: Langley retired after declaring he’d caught “every bad guy worth catching” and spent his remaining years teaching wilderness survival to local kids.
2. Marshal Clara “Six-Gun” Hargrove (1910–1920)
Claim to Fame: Clara Hargrove was the first female marshal of Colorado Springs, and she earned her nickname after taking down six outlaws in a single standoff near Fountain Creek. Known for her sharp aim and sharper wit, she became a symbol of justice during a time when women in law enforcement were rare.
Decorations:
- Awarded the Key to the City for her role in recovering a stolen payroll destined for railroad workers.
- Her revolver, Justice Belle, is on display at the Colorado Springs Pioneer Museum.
Legacy: Clara stepped down to write a best-selling memoir, High Noon at High Altitude, which inspired several Hollywood movies (though she hated them all).
3. Chief Nathaniel “Steady Nate” Prescott (1935–1955)
Claim to Fame: Prescott was Colorado Springs’ longest-serving police chief, credited with modernizing the department and introducing “community policing” long before it was fashionable. He was famous for walking the streets and knowing nearly every resident by name.
Decorations:
- Twice named Lawman of the Rockies for reducing crime rates during the Great Depression.
- Awarded the Order of the Silver Star for negotiating a peaceful end to a hostage situation at the Broadmoor Hotel.
Legacy: After retiring, Nate opened a pie shop called “Steady’s Slices,” where locals could always find him ready to share a story about his law enforcement days.
4. Ranger Hank “Bear Whisperer” McCallister (1960–1970)
Claim to Fame: A Colorado Springs park ranger turned lawman, McCallister was renowned for his uncanny ability to handle wildlife-related incidents. He once defused a tense situation involving an escaped bear by calmly leading it back into the forest with a trail of jerky.
Decorations:
- Received the Nature’s Sentinel Medal for rescuing a group of stranded hikers during a freak summer snowstorm.
- Honored with the Pikes Peak Commendation for stopping a gang of poachers who had set up shop near the summit.
Legacy: Hank became a local legend, and his catchphrase, “Respect the mountain, and it’ll respect you,” is still printed on trail signs today.
5. Officer Miguel “Iron Mike” Gutierrez (1985–2005)
Claim to Fame: Officer Gutierrez was known for his no-nonsense attitude and near-superhuman strength, once earning the nickname “Iron Mike” after lifting a car off a trapped motorcyclist. He specialized in community outreach and was beloved for organizing youth programs that kept kids off the streets.
Decorations:
- Earned the Medal of Heroism after disarming an armed robbery suspect using only a basketball he’d picked up during a community game.
- Honored with the Colorado Springs Citizen’s Choice Award for his decades of service and dedication to mentoring at-risk youth.
Legacy: Gutierrez retired to coach high school football, where his motivational speeches about “discipline and heart” turned a losing team into state champions.
