Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

I pray continually for the Truth to come to light in your murder. Justice for C.C.!

Anonymous
Colorado

September 21, 2024

May Cecilia's soul forever rest peacefully in Heaven.

Retired First Sergeant Thomas Webb
New York State Police - Troop "D"

August 8, 2022

So many years after you were gunned down by a murderer I am finding out how you were victimized by such abhorrent senselessness, likely greed. You went to my high school, James Madison Memorial in Madison, Wis., and no doubt we crossed paths there as you graduated a year behind me. We would have known many of the same teachers and coaches, and I only wish your star would have shone for the natural duration of your life. You were an inspiration for so many, I can tell that from reading about you, and it grieves me to write this.

Rex Hamann
High School

November 15, 2021

Lieutenant Cipriani-Benefiel You will never be forgotten Sister. Thank you for your service. God bless your soul.

I pray one day that the individual responsible is caught.

Corporal
Inverness Police Department

November 18, 2020

On this 30th anniversary of your death please know that your service and sacrifice are never forgotten by your law enforcement brethren.

Detective Cpl/3 Steven Rizzo
Delaware State Police (Retired)

November 16, 2020

Lt. Cipriani-Benefiel,
On today, the 30th anniversary of your death I would just like to say thank you for your service and sacrifice for the citizens of El Paso County. And to your Family and loved ones, I wish to extend my deepest sympathy.

R.I.P.
USBP

Anonymous
United States Border Patrol

November 16, 2020

C.C.
In college you were so confident, smart, and outgoing. I knew you were going to go far in your career, and make a difference in people’s lives. I was totally stunned when I heard your life had been taken by a coward, in a brutal way. Almost 30 years later, I look at your picture and still have a hard time believing it. Rest easy C.C. I think of you with great fondness.

D. K.
Friend From College

June 25, 2020

"Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God."
Matthew 5:9

Chris Di Gerolamo
Federal Air Marshal Service

April 14, 2020

Rest in peace my sister.

Lieutenant Raymond Flores
NYPD (retired)

November 16, 2019

Rest in peace Lt. Benefiel.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

July 18, 2019

Rest In Peace Sister in Blue. You are honored and remembered on the 28th anniversary of your EOW.

May the coward/scum who took your life suffer and rot forever.

Officer Mike Robinson (Ret.)
Upland Police Dept. CA

November 16, 2018

"Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God."
Matthew 5:9

Marshal Chris Di Gerolamo
Federal Air Marshal Service

February 5, 2018

Today, on the 26th anniversary of your murder, please know you are not forgotten. Thank you for your selfless service.

Officer C Curione
Rochester Police Department, NY

November 16, 2016

You have not been forgotten. Thank you for your service.

Kelly Mundell

November 28, 2015

You and your murder are not forgotten. R.I.P sister.

Officer Cristina Henderson
Chattanooga P.D

November 16, 2015

Lt. Cipriani was having a difficult year in 1990 as her mother was dying of cancer and marital problems arose. In July, Robert Benefiel asked for a divorce and gave C.C. 30 days to move out. She bought a secluded house on a bluff in Ivywild where she lived alone. Their divorce was to be final on November 19, 1990.

But on November 16, Lt. Cecilia Cipriani, 32, was shot to death in her home shortly after she got off work at 1:30 am. She had been sitting at her dining room table in her police uniform with her gun still holstered when she was shot twice with a .22 caliber handgun. When she failed to show up at work for two shifts, she was found on the floor by two deputies. Investigators believe she knew her assailant and let him in the home.

Her husband was the prime suspect in C.C.'s murder. He was off duty that night, had no alibi and flunked his polygraph according to press reports. Detectives said there was insufficient evidence to arrest Robert Benefiel and the District Attorney declined to call a Grand Jury. Mutual Life Insurance Company of New Jersey denied Benefiel's claim for a $65,000 life insurance policy because he was a suspect in the death of the insured.

Trooper Benefiel was placed on paid administrative leave for six months after a domestic dispute involving a gun on July 15, 1993 concerning he and his new wife, Erma. He resigned from the Colorado State Patrol in January 1994 and moved to Texas. The murder of Lt. Cecilia "C.C." Cipriani remains unsolved.

If you have information pertinent to this case, please call Detective Derek Graham at the Colorado Springs Police Department.

None
Friend from College

December 22, 2014

My husband and I met you only one time. I was very blessed by our meeting. You were very gracious to us. I was working for the CSP at the time and my husband was with the DPD and sold insurance and investments . I am retired from the Colorado State Patrol, and my husband is retired also. At that time Bob asked me to have myself and my husband to come and show you life insurance policies. We came down from Denver and had a very nice time meeting you. What we had to offer did not meet your husband's needs at that time. In any case, I was glad to have met you.

Trooper Debbie Talty
Colorado State Patrol

July 28, 2014

CeCe,

You are missed and we have not forgotten you.

EPSO
EPSO

July 15, 2014

Lt. Cipriani-Benefiel,
Maam, even though it has been 22 years since your End of Watch you are still honored and remembered. I would just like to say thank you for your service and sacrifice for the ctizens of El Paso County.

R.I.P.
USBP

Anonymous
U.S. Border Patrol

November 16, 2012

Lieutenant - C.C.,
You are a true hero and truer friend.
There will be a Rendezvous.
Until then, you are sorely missed.
Rest in Peace.

P L K O'K

November 3, 2012

Rest in Peace, Lieutenant Benefiel. Your sacrifice is not forgotten.

Officer 11169

January 26, 2012

Cecilia M. Cipriani-Benefiel C,C I really miss you.Your memory is still alive in me.I hope they catch the person that did this to you.Rest in peace dear friend,God bless you.I love you.

connie allen

Connie Firkins (Allen)
friend

May 20, 2011

It has been twenty years since you were taken from us. I still had to wipe a tear as I read the post. May God bless you and keep you.

“It is foolish and wrong to mourn the men who died. Rather, we should thank God that such men lived." Gen. George S. Patton.

Sgt. Michael Lowry
University of Colorado Police Department Boulder

November 16, 2010

Its been 20yrs. but you still are sorely missed,Rest In Peace Sister.

Deputy
Teller County S.O. Colorado

May 20, 2010

Your heroism and service is honored today, the nineteenth anniversary of your death. Your memory lives and you continue to inspire. Thank you for your service. My cherished son Larry Lasater was a fellow police officer murdered in the line of duty on April 24, 2005 while serving as a Pittsburg, CA police officer.

I pray for the solace of your family. You were such a beautiful and brave young woman and I know many love and miss you. Rest In Peace

Phyllis Loya
mother of fallen officer Larry Lasater

November 16, 2009