Sandy MaloneArvada, CO – Arvada Police Officer Dillon Michael Vakoff was killed in the line of duty early on Sunday morning while responding to a disturbance call in Arvada.
Arvada Police Chief Link Strate said officers were met with chaotic scene when they responded to a disturbance call at about 2:30 a.m. on Sept. 11 in the 6700-block of West 51st Avenue near Marshall Street, KDVR reported.
Chief Strate said that officers were attempting to calm down the civilians at the scene and separate “uncooperative people” when someone opened fire, KDVR reported.
Officer Vakoff and a woman at the scene were shot.
Officers returned fire, according to KDVR.
A second officer on the scene attempted to rescue and perform First Aid on Officer Vakoff.
The wounded hero was transported to Lutheran Hospital for treatment and died a short time later, KDVR reported.
Police said the suspect in 27-year-old Officer Vakoff’s murder has been taken into custody.
The suspect in the shooting and the female victim were also transported to nearby hospitals and both were expected to survive, KDVR reported.
Officials have not yet released the identity of Officer Vakoff’s murderer or the woman who was wounded.
The fallen hero was taken from Lutheran Hospital to the Jefferson County Coroner’s Office in a procession led by numerous emergency vehicles, KDVR reported.
“Dillon is an example of everything that is good that is a police officer,” Chief Strate said.
The police chief said Officer Vakoff joined the Arvada Police Department in 2019 after completing six years in the U.S. Air Force as a staff sergeant, KDVR reported.
Officer Vakoff grew up in Arvada and graduated from Ralston Valley High School.
We stand heartbroken with our brothers and sisters of the @ArvadaPolice pic.twitter.com/YGyGuZF3mB
— DC Sheriff (@dcsheriff) September 11, 2022
It is with a heavy heart & deep sorrow that we inform you an Arvada Police Officer has been killed serving his community. The officer was responding to a call for service when he was killed. #ArvadaPDLODD
— Arvada Police (@ArvadaPolice) September 11, 2022
.@ArvadaPolice just released a photo of Officer Vakoff. pic.twitter.com/Isk3N4Tzql
— Jaleesa Irizarry (@JaleesaReports) September 11, 2022
Our deepest condolences to @ArvadaPolice and the family and friends of the officer who lost their life in the line of duty today. Our hearts are with you during this difficult time. pic.twitter.com/UoF2f7XcyP
— Denver Police Dept. (@DenverPolice) September 11, 2022
RIDING FOR FALLEN ARVADA OFFICER: Today is the final day of the @Shield616_ Border to Border Ride. The group rides in memory of fallen first responders. The cyclists are riding in honor of the @ArvadaPolice officer who died in the line of duty today. @KOAA @DenverChannel pic.twitter.com/GZFQ4tqlsV
— Carl Winder KOAA (@CWinderKOAA) September 11, 2022
Our thoughts and prayers are with the family of Arvada Police Officer Dillon Michael Vakoff, both blood and blue. Thank you for your service.
Officer Dillon Vakoff, your life mattered.
Holly Matkin
