The Golden Police Department and surrounding community mourns Officer Evan Dunn, who was killed while responding to a traffic accident Nov. 6 along Highway 58.
GPD confirmed Nov. 7 that Dunn, 33, was an active captain in the Army National Guard and Black Hawk helicopter pilot. He’s survived by his wife, parents and two siblings.
Dunn was an officer who “served this close-knit community with honor,” Police Chief Joe Harvey remarked in a Nov. 7 statement. His loved ones have remembered him as “first and foremost a man of faith, loyal, steady, quiet and observant.” Dunn and his wife shared a deep love for the outdoors and enjoyed camping with their dog, Remy.
Harvey said Dunn’s family is appreciative of the community’s support but has asked for privacy in the coming days.
“We are a family,” Harvey said of his department. “We are very close with each other and with our community. Evan had a bright future and was destined to do great things, and we will never get over his loss. We can only continue doing the job he loved in his honor.”
Dunn first joined Golden as a code enforcement officer, serving for a year until he entered the police academy. He graduated in July and was partnered with Officer Bethany Grusing, his field training officer, while responding to the Nov. 6 incident.
Grusing was also injured during the Nov. 6 incident and was transported to a nearby hospital. City officials stated she was expected to be released sometime Nov. 7.
Harvey added, “She has a broken heart as well.”
Two civilians were also injured, according to police reports, but their conditions were unknown as Nov. 7.
Additional memorial details were expected in the coming days, but city officials said anyone wishing to donate may do so at the Colorado Fallen official webpage. All donations go directly to Dunn’s family.
Golden also has stationed a memorial car in front of City Hall for those wishing to pay their respects or offer condolences.
“Internally, (Dunn)’s going to be survived by 71 members of this (GPD) family, who love and care for him deeply,” Harvey said late Nov. 6. “ … I want to say thank you to all my brothers and sisters in law enforcement … who’ve offered their support.”
Colorado Gov. Jared Polis also ordered flags to be flown half-staff on the day of Dunn’s memorial service, which had yet to be scheduled.
“Our law enforcement officers put themselves in harm’s way to protect Coloradans day in and day out, and that’s exactly what Officer Dunn and … Officer Grusing were doing,” Polis’ office said Nov. 7. “We are grateful for their service and commitment to keeping Coloradans safe.”
Mines professor arrested following crash
Following the Nov. 6 fatal crash along Highway 58, Colorado State Patrol confirmed Stephen Robert Geer was arrested at the scene on suspicion of vehicular homicide, driving while under the influence of alcohol/drugs and other charges.
Geer’s scheduled to appear in court 10 a.m. Nov. 14 at the Jefferson County Courthouse.
The case remains under investigation, officials have emphasized.
Geer, a 43-year-old Wheat Ridge resident, has been identified as a Colorado School of Mines employee. The university website lists him as a teaching assistant professor in mechanical engineering.
Mines officials shared Nov. 7 that they grieve for the impacted Golden officers, their families, colleagues and community.
“We grieve with them today,” Mines officials stated via email. “We pray for the recovery of the injured officer, and we will look for ways to offer support during this incredibly difficult time.”
The Nov. 6 incident
According to the arrest affidavit filed against Geer, around 4:38 p.m. Nov. 6, Golden police officers responded to eastbound Highway 58 just east of Washington Avenue. They were investigating a crash between a Toyota Tacoma and a Subaru Crosstrek.
The Toyota had reportedly lost control while the Subaru was trying to pass, hitting it, and both vehicles were now disabled near the median. Snow was actively falling and the roadways were slick, the affidavit notes.
All involved vehicles were on the far-left side of Highway 58, the affidavit notes, with a Golden Police vehicle positioned behind the other two. All other traffic was moving to the right, away from the original crash scene.
The Subaru’s driver, the Toyota’s driver and her father, Dunn and Grusing were outside the vehicles getting photos and evaluating the scene around 4:53 p.m. when a black Mazda traveling eastbound entered the area.
The Mazda reportedly hit the Toyota and then the Subaru, pinning Dunn under the latter. He died from his injuries at the scene.
Grusing also sustained serious injuries, as did the Toyota’s driver and her father. The Subaru’s driver is not recorded being injured in the affidavit.
City officials have clarified a third GPD officer was present in the patrol vehicle behind the initial accident scene, but was uninjured.
Shortly after the crash, authorities identified Geer as the Mazda’s driver. He reportedly told state troopers at the scene he’d been driving home after having a beer at a local bar with a coworker.
He told troopers he’d noticed “yellow flashing lights and attempted to stop,” but wasn’t able to, the affidavit describes.
Investigators detected alcohol on Geer’s breath, the affidavit continues, and he initially agreed to voluntary roadside sobriety tests. However, after he was informed of his Miranda rights around 6:06 p.m., he refused to talk further or complete the sobriety tests.
After receiving a search warrant, investigating troopers completed a blood draw around 8:46 p.m. at the Jeffco jail, the affidavit continues.
Geer has no previous criminal history. He was taken into custody on suspicion of:
- Vehicular homicide, a Class 3 felony;
- Two counts of vehicular assault, a Class 4 felony;
- Failure to exercise due care when approaching a stationary vehicle resulting in death, also called the “Move Over Law,” which is a felony;
- Operating a vehicle while under the influence of drugs and/or alcohol, which is a misdemeanor.
The District Attorney’s Office is expected to file formal charges at Geer’s Nov. 14 court date.
This story may be updated if more information becomes available.