During the course of the Arvada Police Department's history, three officers have been killed in the line of duty.
Officer Robert G. Beghtol
Officer Beghtol started his career with the Arvada Police Department on December 15, 1958. He came to the Arvada Police Department after serving in the United States Army. On July 28, 1961, Officer Beghtol died during Scuba Diving Unit practice at the lake near 60th and Tennyson.
Officer W. Michael Northey
Officer Mike Northey joined the Arvada Police Department on February 20, 1978. He was tragically struck and killed by a vehicle after he stopped two motorcycle riders on August 11, 1979. Not only is there an Arvada park named after Officer Northey, but also Arvada students are eligible to apply for scholarships each year in Officer Northey’s name through the W. Michael Northey Foundation.
Officer Gordon Beesley
Officer Gordon Beesley joined the Arvada Police Department in 2002. He served as a patrol officer, a traffic officer on the motorcycle unit and as a School Resource Officer at Oberon Middle School. He was killed while working patrol while school was out for the summer. Officer Beesley was shot in the line of duty on June 21, 2021, in Olde Town Square.
Officer Dillon Vakoff
Officer Dillon Vakoff joined the Arvada Police Department in 2019. He was training to be a SWAT officer. Officer Vakoff came to us after serving six years in the Air Force. He was a 2012 graduate of Ralston Valley High School. He was killed in the line of duty while responding to a disturbance call on Sept. 11, 2022.