Background: John Mansfield wasn’t a statewide name, but in our small rural corner of Colorado he was a big presence. He wore many hats. Artist. Peace Officer. Town Trustee. Founded the local recreation district, a community center, several youth organizations. He did it all with humor and compassion. As San Miguel County Sheriff Bill Masters told me at the Norwood memorial for John this past summer solstice, he and John didn’t like using the word “law enforcement” since it suggested the use of force. Rather Bill said, “People should call us what we are: peace officers.”
