A vigil was held Tuesday night for Arvada Police Officer Gordon Beesley, who was shot and killed in the city’s Old Town District by a man who apparently held a grudge against police.
Mourners gathered at Peace Lutheran Church in Arvada to honor the memory of Beesley, a 19-year-veteran of the department. Beesley also served as a school resource officer at Oberon Middle School during the school year.
John Hurley, 40, of Golden was also killed in the Monday afternoon shooting along with the suspect, 59-year-old Ronald Troyke. Hurley was described as a “true hero” who stepped into the middle of the shooting to prevent further violence, said Arvada Police Chief Link Strate at a Tuesday press conference. On Wednesday, the Denver Post reported that Hurley shot Troyke.
Tryoke was killed by multiple gunshot wounds, according to the Jefferson County Coroner’s office.
Police said they were still looking for a motive in the shooting. It appeared, however, Beesley was killed because he wore a badge.
“I can tell you that Gordon was targeted because he was wearing an Arvada police uniform and a badge,” Strate said. “Officer Beesely was ambushed by a person who expressed hatred of police officers.”
Police said Beesley responded to a call about a disturbance near the city’s library about 1:15 p.m. Monday. About 15 minutes later, 911 calls reporting a shooting began coming in, according to USA Today.
