Denver-area police officer fatally shot during ‘large family disturbance’

ARVADA, Colo. — A Denver-area police officer was fatally shot during an exchange of gunfire early Sunday as the officer attempted to calm a domestic disturbance, authorities said.

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According to Arvada police Chief Link Strate, Dillon Michael Vakoff was killed after he and another officer responded to a “large family disturbance” at 1:41 a.m. MDT in the Denver suburb, The Denver Post reported.

The suspect shot a woman and the two officers returned fire, according to the newspaper. Vakoff was then shot by the suspect, Strate said during a Sunday morning news conference.

The second police officer, who was not identified, gave aid to Vakoff until emergency responders arrived, KUSA-TV reported.

The suspect, who also was not identified, was taken to a hospital, according to the television station. The man was in police custody and was expected to live, KDVR-TV reported.

According to Strate, Vakoff joined the Arvada Police Department in 2019 and was training to become a SWAT officer. Before that, he was a staff sergeant in the U.S. Air Force, where he served for six years.

He was a resident of Arvada and a 2012 graduate of Ralston Valley High School, KUSA reported.

“This is a tragic loss to this community, to this department, but most significantly to his family and loved ones,” Strate told reporters. “His service and sacrifice will never be forgotten.”

Strate did not take questions during the news conference, the Post reported.

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