Arvada Police say Officer Dillon Michael Vakoff was shot and killed responding to a family disturbance early this morning. Vakoff was a 2012 graduate of Ralston Valley High School and a Staff Sgt. in the USAF for six years. He’d been a member of Arvada PD since 2019.
Officer Dillon Vakoff, 27 years old, was shot and murdered by a suspect when he was on duty and responding to a disturbance on 51st Avenue in Arvada. The shooting occurred as Officer Vakoff was responding to the disturbance. A female suspect and a male suspect both received gunshot wounds, and the male suspect is currently in police custody.
“This is a devastating loss for this town and for this department, but most importantly, it is a loss for his family and the people he loved. The contributions he made and the sacrifices he made will never be forgotten “During a press conference, Arvada Chief Link Strate made the following statement.
According to a press statement issued by the Arvada Police Department, officers were called out to the 6700 block of 51st Street early on Sunday morning in response to a report of a family dispute that had taken place there. That is only a little bit to the north of where Interstate 70 and Interstate 76 come together, which is to the east of Wadsworth Boulevard.
When the responding cops arrived, they found a chaotic scene, and a lot of people were in the residential street. Vakoff and another officer, who was characterised as both a friend and a coworker, were the first to arrive at the scene and immediately began working to separate numerous individuals who were described as being combative and uncooperative.
Investigators claim that at this point, the suspect fired a gun and shot a woman who was present at the scene. After that, a gunfight broke out between the suspect and the officers who had responded to the call. During this exchange of gunfire, it is unknown which Arvada cops fired shots; however, Vakoff was shot and killed as a result of being involved in this gunfight. Vakoff was rushed to the hospital, but it was there that his official time of death was declared. The second officer made an attempt to save his life by administering first aid to him.
Since 2017, Vakoff has been working for the Arvada Police Department, and he was now undergoing training to become a member of the SWAT team. Additionally, Vakoff had prior military experience, having served as a staff sergeant in the United States Air Force for a period of six years. He was a native of Arvada and received his high school diploma from Ralston Valley in the year 2012.
In a statement that was distributed via press release, Governor Jared Polis said, “My thoughts are with the family and friends of Arvada officer Dillon Michael Vakoff who was tragically killed in the line of duty while responding to a call.” “We will continue to monitor this situation,” the governor added.
During the shooting, the suspect was also injured by a bullet. He was rushed to the hospital, and doctors are optimistic that he will pull through this. On Sunday morning, he was taken into custody by the police and held at the hospital. The identity of the suspect has not been revealed.
The woman who was shot was also sent to the hospital, and it is anticipated that she will make a full recovery. It is currently unknown whether or not she is involved in this probe.
Visit the website of the Colorado Fallen Hero Foundation in order to make a donation on behalf of the family and loved ones of Vakoff. It has been confirmed by the Arvada Police Department that this location will serve as the sole official donation place for the fallen officer.
