Aurora Police News
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The Aurora Police News Blog was created in 2016 as a new way to share news and information from the Aurora Police Department with the community we serve. It is maintained by the staff of the Public Information Officer. 

Public Information Officer Staff:

Sergeant Faith Goodrich - Unit Supervisor
Agent Matthew Longshore - Public Information Officer
Joe Moylan - Public Information Officer
Sydney Edwards - Public Information Officer 

To reach a member of the Public Information Officer call 720.432.5095 or email [email protected]. If you are a member of the public and you have a question, general request, comment or concern, please email [email protected].

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The men and women of the Aurora Police Department are committed to making a Aurora a safer place everyday.

DISCLAIMER: Information is subject to change as case investigations proceed. Individuals arrested on the basis of probable cause have not been charged. All arrestees are presumed innocent unless proven guilty in a court of law. 


Recent Posts
July 2018 - Posts
On July 30th, 2018 at approximately 3:52 p.m., Aurora Officers from District Two and the Aurora Traffic Section responded to East 48th Avenue and North Imboden Road on a serious accident involving a motorcycle and a truck. Adams County Deputies arrived on scene and immediately began CPR on the motorcyclist. Emergency rescue personnel also arrived and the motorcyclist was pronounced deceased at the scene.

The investigation revealed that the motorcycle was westbound on East 48th Avenue and stopped at the stop sign to go southbound on North Imboden Road. The motorcyclist attempted the turn to southbound North Imboden Road and pulled into the path of a northbound truck pulling a trailer.

The motorcyclist was wearing a helmet at the time of the accident. Alcohol does not appear to be a factor for either the motorcyclist or the driver of the truck. Speed is also not considered a factor based on witness statements. The driver of the truck is cooperating with the investigation which is still active.

This will be the 18th accident related fatality in Aurora this year.

Any further questions can be directed to:

Sergeant Mike Douglass
Aurora Police Traffic Section
303-739-6293

Posted by [email protected]  On Jul 31, 2018 at 8:05 AM
  
On July 30th, 2018 at approximately 8:58 p.m., Aurora Officers from District Three and the Traffic Section responded to a serious collision involving a motorcycle and an SUV at East Iliff Avenue and South Kittredge Street. The motorcyclist was transported to a local hospital and was later pronounced deceased.

According to witnesses, the motorcyclist was traveling at a high rate of speed with another motorcycle, when it struck the side of an SUV that was attempting to make a legal turn at the intersection. The driver of the SUV remained on scene and is cooperating with the investigation.

The details of the collision are still under investigation and there are no immediate indications that alcohol are a factor. The motorcyclist was wearing a helmet.

This is the 19th vehicular related fatality in 2018 and the second motorcycle fatality of the day.

If you witnessed the collision, please contact:

Sergeant Mike Douglass
Aurora Police Traffic Section
303-739-6293
Posted by [email protected]  On Jul 30, 2018 at 11:26 PM
  
Residents of Aurora are invited to celebrate the 35th anniversary of National Night Out with the Aurora Police Department and the rest of the country on Tuesday, August the 7th. National Night Out is an annual community-building campaign that promotes police-community partnerships and neighborhood camaraderie. The goal of the campaign is to make Aurora a safer place.

The Police Area Representative Team for District 2, which serves northeast Aurora has announced the District's plans for the evening. There will be a series of parties at several locations throughout the District and a caravan of Officers and vehicles will visit each location.

National Night Out party locations:


Landon Park Apartments, 100 S. Sable Blvd.
APD will be visiting from 4:30 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Town Center of Aurora, 14200 E. Alameda Ave.
APD will be visiting from 5:05 p.m. to 5:35 p.m.

The Preserve at City Center, 1098 S. Evanston Way.
APD will be visiting from 5:40 p.m. to 6:10 p.m.

Highland Point Apartments, 16893 E Arkansas Ave.
APD will be visiting from 6:15 p.m. to 6:35 p.m.

Murphy Creek, 23945 E Florida Ave.
APD will be on scene from 6:45 p.m. to 7:10 p.m.


Download an event flyer.

Officer Kenneth Forrest
Public Information Officer
Media Relations Unit
720.432.5095
Posted by [email protected]  On Jul 20, 2018 at 7:40 AM
  
Residents of Aurora are invited to celebrate National Night Out with the Aurora Police Department and the rest of the country on Tuesday, August the 7th. National Night Out is an annual community-building campaign that promotes police-community partnerships and neighborhood camaraderie. The goal of the campaign is to make Aurora a safer place.

The Police Area Representative Teams for District 1, which serves West Aurora (areas west of I-225)  will be hosting two community gatherings to celebrate the 35th anniversary of National Night Out.

North Event
Moorehead Recreation Center, 2390 Havana St.
6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.

South Event
Utah Park, 1800 S. Peoria St.
5:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.

Download an event flyer.

Officer Kenneth Forrest
Public Information Officer
Media Relations Unit
720.432.5095
Posted by [email protected]  On Jul 19, 2018 at 12:05 PM
  

Residents of Aurora are invited to celebrate the 35th anniversary of National Night Out with the Aurora Police Department and the rest of the country on Tuesday, August the 7th. National Night Out is an annual community-building campaign that promotes police-community partnerships and neighborhood camaraderie. The goal of the campaign is to make Aurora safer place.

The Police Area Representative Team for District 3, which serves the Southeast area of Aurora has announced the District's plans for the evening. A caravan of police officers and department vehicles will be traveling to and visiting National Night Out events throughout the District. Below is a list of their scheduled stops.

Stop #1
Mission Viejo Park
3999 S. Mission Parkway
4:30 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.

Stop #2

Eastern Hills Community Church
25511 E. Smoky Hill Road
6:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.

For more information call 303.627.3172

Download an event flyer.

Officer Kenneth Forrest
Public Information Officer
Media Relations Unit
720.432.5095

Posted by [email protected]  On Jul 13, 2018 at 5:50 PM
  
On June 18, 2017, an Aurora Police Department Lieutenant, Charles DeShazer, made a highly inappropriate and racially inflammatory comment while on the scene of a Denver Police Department officer involved shooting following a police pursuit. The offensive statement was caught on the body worn camera of another officer, and was reported internally by two APD supervisors who were also at the scene and heard the comment. An internal affairs investigation was immediately initiated. Following the investigation, I terminated Lt. DeShazer on September 1, 2017.

Pursuant to rights provided by the City Charter, Lt. DeShazer appealed his termination to the Civil Service Commission. The Commission held a hearing on June 19 - 20, 2018. It issued an order on June 29, 2018, agreeing with me on the policy violation and the need for “substantial discipline.” However, the Commission reduced the termination to a demotion from lieutenant to sergeant and denied any payment of back pay for the ten months Sgt. DeShazer was out of work.

The Department is in the process of returning Sgt. DeShazer back to work. He will first be assigned to the APD Academy to ensure he is in compliance with all POST certification requirements. His final assignment has yet to be determined. It is within my authority to set his assignment. I can assure the community that Sgt. DeShazer will not be in a supervisory or citizen-facing role.

The racially insensitive comment made by Sgt. DeShazer is in direct contradiction to the values of the Aurora Police Department. We hold ourselves to the highest standards, and when one of our officers fall short, we strive to take immediate and necessary action to ensure they are held accountable.

In making its decision, the Commission considered three other “comparable” cases. Although not noted in the Commission’s Order, two of these cases were decisions of prior chiefs and may have had a different outcome if I had issued the discipline. The one comparable case relied on by the Commission where I issued the discipline was notably different in that I found the statement in that case to not be racially motivated, and the officer involved promptly and genuinely apologized for his actions.

Every day, the women and men of the Aurora Police Department work diligently to maintain strong cooperative partnerships that are built on trust and respect within our diverse community. They interact with the public thousands of times a year, with the overwhelming majority of these contacts occurring without incident or problem. They put themselves in harm’s way for the betterment of the community. Inappropriate and racially offensive incidents happen infrequently, but are nonetheless of great concern to the Department and to me. I am committed to investigating these incidents when complaints are made, either internally or externally, and taking swift and decisive action when appropriate to hold officers accountable.

The Department will continue to work on its mission To Make Aurora Safer Every Day and will continue to provide the highest level of service to all residents, enforce local laws and foster a strong relationship with the community.

Contact:
Sergeant Chris Neiman
Public Information Officer
Media Relations Unit
(720) 432-5095

Posted by [email protected]  On Jul 10, 2018 at 7:18 PM
  
On July 7th, 2018 at approximately 4:08 a.m., Aurora Police District 3 Officers and Aurora Fire Rescue responded to the 2900 block of South Ceylon Way regarding a report of a car that crashed into a tree.  An adult driver of the vehicle was pronounced deceased at the scene and an adult female passenger was transported to a local area hospital with non-life threatening injuries.  Alcohol and speed are being investigated as possible factors in this collision.

At this time, the identities of the involved parties are not being released.  The Aurora Police Traffic Section is conducting this investigation.

Officer Kevin Deichsel
Aurora Police Traffic Section
303-739-6373

Posted by [email protected]  On Jul 08, 2018 at 3:51 PM
  
Last Friday, June 29, 2018, the Aurora Police Department released details reference an officer involved shooting that occurred in the parking lot of a gas station located 14401 East 6th Avenue at approximately 3 P.M.

The investigation has revealed new details that the Aurora Police Department wishes to provide to the public for the sake of continued transparency. Detectives still have evidence to review, thus this investigation is still considered to be open.
To date, this investigation has revealed the suspect was being sought for attempt murder in the first degree in regards to a shooting that occurred on June 28, 2018, in which an adult male was shot two times. On June 29, 2018, the male suspect was observed inside a Nissan sedan by Aurora Police Officers. A traffic stop on that car was initiated at approximately South Peoria Street and East Alameda Avenue. The car appeared to pull over near the Highline Ballfields located at 50 South Peoria Street.

The suspect then began to flee the traffic stop at a high rate of speed and was recklessly driving through the ball fields where youth softball teams were present and actively playing softball. At this point, the suspect was observed by an independent witness driving while also holding a handgun.

A pursuit was initiated northbound through the ball fields with lights and sirens activated. The pursuit lasted for several minutes and eventually ended in the parking lot of the gas station located at 14401 East 6th Avenue. A Precision Immobilization Technique (PIT) was executed for the safety of the public to end the pursuit. Officers were able to block the suspects’ car in the parking lot. As the suspect was still seated inside the vehicle he produced a handgun and pointed it in the direction of officers. Three officers subsequently fired their weapons. Officers on scene immediately began rendering aid to the suspect to include CPR. Despite providing life saving measures to the suspect he later died at the scene. The suspect will be identified at a later time by the Arapahoe County Coroner’s Office.

All three officers who fired their weapons have been placed on paid administrative leave, as is standard protocol. Officers present on scene were equipped with and activated their body worn cameras. If further information becomes available for public release we will provide an update here.

Sergeant Chris Neiman
Public Information Officer
Media Relations Unit
(720) 432-5095

Information previously released on June 29, 2018 at 5:33 PM

Yesterday, June 28, 2018 at approximately 3 P.M., officers responded to a local hospital after learning that an adult male victim was suffering from two gunshot wounds at that hospital. Officers investigated that shooting and learned that it occurred in the area of E. 14th Ave. and N. Chambers Rd. As a result of that investigation, detectives were able to positively identify an adult male suspect and subsequently established probable cause to arrest that suspect for attempted murder in relation to that incident.

Then today on June 29, 2018 just after noon, investigators located that suspect who was wanted in connection with the aforementioned shooting. The male was traveling in a Nissan sedan when he was located. Officers attempted to stop this male, who was considered to be armed and dangerous, and the male eluded police in the vehicle. A pursuit was initiated near North Peoria Street and East 1st Avenue. The pursuit lasted for several minutes and eventually ended in the parking lot of a gas station located at 14401 East 6th Avenue. As the pursuit ended, shots were fired by officers. A weapon not belonging to officers was recovered at the scene.

After shots were fired, officers pulled the lone suspect from the vehicle and began administering live saving measures. Despite the life-saving efforts, the suspect was pronounced deceased at the scene. That subject will be identified at a later time by the Arapahoe County Coroner’s Office.

This incident is being investigated by the Aurora Police Department Major Crimes Unit in conjunction with the Denver Police Department Major Crimes Unit. The investigation into this incident is still in its early stages and much work needs to be done in order to determine what circumstances lead up to the officer-involved shooting. The number of officers who fired their weapons is not being released at this time. Detectives will also review available body camera footage at a part of the investigation.

If any member of the public was witness to the officer involved shooting or the shooting that occurred on June 28, 2018, you are asked to contact Detective Todd Fredericksen at (303) 739-6106.

More information will be made available to the public in the following days.

Officer Bill Hummel
Public Information Officer
Media Relation Unit
(720) 432-5095
Posted by [email protected]  On Jul 02, 2018 at 5:09 PM
  
 
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