Michael Burch
Michael John Burch, 69, worked 23 years as a correctional officer in California before retiring to Walsenburg, Colorado, and he struggled with mental health problems. His family said he was in crisis when he was taken to the Huerfano County Detention Center in March 2023. According to his family's federal lawsuit, jail staff used force on him, breaking his ribs, and he repeatedly asked for help, water and a hospital, but his attorneys say he received no treatment for days. The El Paso County coroner ruled his death a homicide from complications of blunt force trauma to the chest, and he died in his cell on April 4, 2023. The county, sheriff's office and jail healthcare provider agreed in 2026 to settle the lawsuit for a reported amount of about $10 million, and the provider has said officers blocked its medical assessments.
Cause of death, as reported: Killed by staff (neglect alleged). The El Paso County coroner ruled the death a homicide from complications of blunt force trauma to the chest, and his family's lawsuit says deputies tased and tackled him and that staff left his rib injuries untreated despite repeated requests.
Reported by: El Paso County Coroner's Office (medical examiner or coroner); his family's attorneys and federal lawsuit (family or their lawyers).
Lawsuit: His family sued Huerfano County, the sheriff's office and others, and the county agreed to pay $10.2 million in 2026, though other reports give $10 million and $9.19 million.
News reports (9)
- Family files lawsuit against multiple Huerfano County entities, officials for man's 2023 in-custody death
- Colorado jail officers broke a man’s ribs then let him slowly die despite pleas for help, lawsuit alleges
- Family sues southern Colorado sheriff after 69-year-old inmate died in county jail
- ‘This will not be tolerated’: Lawsuit filed against Huerfano County Sheriff’s Office after man dies in jail
- Colorado man's jail cell death sparks lawsuit; "There was intent to punish," says lawyer
- Man dies after being hurt then neglected for a week in a Colorado jail, family says - WBAL-TV
- $9.19 million dollar settlement in Burch estate in-custody death lawsuit reached
- Colorado county, healthcare provider to pay $10.2 million after man slowly died in jail despite pleas for help
- Huerfano County Sheriff's Office settles lawsuit for $10 million after Colorado inmate fatally injured in custody