Slain Colorado Officer was Ambushed by Gunman who Hated Police

The police officer killed in Arvada, CO, Monday was ambushed by a shooter targeting law enforcement, and a man described by authorities as a “Samaritan” prevented further bloodshed before he was killed as well, police announced Tuesday.

Arvada police Chief Link Strate identified the Samaritan as John Hurley, 40, of Golden, during a news conference at which officials offered few new details about Monday’s shooting in the Olde Town Arvada shopping and dining district that also claimed the life of Officer Gordon Beesley, the Denver Post reports.

Around 1:15 p.m. Monday, Beesley responded to a call about a suspicious incident near the Arvada library, police said. Soon after, calls about a shooting poured into the 911 dispatch center.

“While we yet don’t have all the facts, I can tell you that Gordon was targeted because he was wearing an Arvada police uniform and a badge,” Strate said. “Officer Beasley was ambushed by a person who expressed hatred of police officers.”

The Jefferson County Coroner’s Office identified the shooting suspect as Ronald Troyke, 59.

Police have offered few details about Monday’s events, including identifying who is believed to have shot Troyke and how exactly Hurley came to be involved. It’s not clear when other Arvada police officers reached the scene after Beesley responded to initial calls.

Strate called Hurley “a true hero who likely disrupted what could have been a larger loss of life.”