Community Corner

Olde Town Arvada Shooting: How To Help Beesley, Hurley Families

Two heroes lost their lives, police said. Here's how you can support their families.

ARVADA, CO — Donations are pouring in for a police officer and a Samaritan who lost their lives in the Olde Town Arvada shooting Monday.

Arvada police officer Gordon Beesley was shot to death in an ambush "by a person who expressed hatred of police officers," Arvada Police Chief Link Strate said.

Beesley, a 19-year veteran of the Arvada Police Department, leaves behind his wife and two children. The Colorado Fallen Hero Foundation has set up a fundraiser for the Beesley family — you can make a donation here.

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John Hurley, 40, was also killed in the shooting. He was likely shot by a police officer, according to multiple reports; however, those reports have not been confirmed by the Arvada Police Department. An Arvada store employee witnessed Hurley rush toward a gunman and shoot him.

Hurley was a "true hero who likely disrupted what could have been a larger loss of life," Strate said.

Find out what's happening in Arvadafor free with the latest updates from Patch.

A fundraiser has been launched for Hurley's family — you can make a donation here.


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The suspect who was shot and killed has been identified as 59-year-old Ronald Troyke, according to the Jefferson County Coroner's Office.

No further details about the shooting were released by police. Detectives need to investigate a large amount of crime scene information before details are released, police said.

Flowers, U.S. flags, balloons and notes are piled on top of a patrol car outside the Arvada Police Department in a memorial for Beesley, less than a mile from where the deadly shooting occurred. A vigil for Beesley was held Tuesday evening at Peace Lutheran Church.

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