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'It's heartbreaking': Police chief describes slain policeman who chose to become officer
National Desk Staff
Associated Press
'It's heartbreaking': Police chief describes slain policeman who chose to become officer
I live three blocks up the street from that store. Um, you're worried about your neighbors? You're worried about your partner's? You're worried about everything when you get that call. So yeah, I feel numb. Um, and it's heartbreaking. It's heartbreaking to talk to victims, their families. Uh huh. You know, it's tragic. This officer had seven Children, ages 5. 18. I just had that officers whole family in my office two weeks ago to give him an award. And so it is personal. This is my community. I live here and have something like this. Happens so, so close to where you live and and to know the fear in the community. And to know that the officers sacrifice themselves Mhm. It's heartbreaking. Going nowhere about Yeah, what it is. Yeah, I can tell you that he's a very kind man, and he didn't have to go into policing. He had a profession before this, but he fell at a higher calling and he loved this community. And he's everything that police seem deserves and needs. He cared about this community. He cared about Border Police Department. He cared about his family and he was willing to die to protect others. And that gets lost in translation. Yeah, she was very great. Yeah. Public. So sorry. Almost any. This is health welcome, shoppers. And the mix of What is it? I don't know all the details at this time. All I can tell you is I've spoken to some of their families and I can just tell you that they're heartbroken. I mean, this is the worst call you could ever receive as a family member. Some of them Uh huh. Not that we know of. We've checked with see you. And at this time, we do not believe obviously preliminary information. But at this time, we do not believe any received anything with the police call came in. And what actually is taking after that? I am not. I just know we started receiving calls for service at 2. 30 PM and obviously, we received a barrage of calls for service for shots fired. And I believe we received one call with a man with some type of patrol rifle and and they came in back to back to back Tommy Kentucky Award. The officer was mhm. Yeah, Actually, the award was for Officer Talley's son. Also, tally taught CPR who taught his family CPR officers telling one of his sons swallowed a quarter because Officer Tally taught his Children CPR. One of the sons was able to save the little boy's life. So the Boulder Police Department just gave the sun and award for life saving. Keep. I can imagine going through. I'm sure your department, your fellow off been shocked. But what tell your office is we're going out today for another day. All my officers are doubled up. And thanks to the state and all of the local authorities that are here have offered to run calls of service for us. And none of my officers wanted to do that. So we partnered them up, and they want to be out with the community. What do you call that person? I know you're talking and you're going to have What do you tell them? Put the bag on. Tell him that I'm sorry. We're gonna get through this. Don't lose your compassion. And we'll get through this and we'll come out of it stronger. Can you talk more about that history? So I
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'It's heartbreaking': Police chief describes slain policeman who chose to become officer
National Desk Staff
Associated Press
Pressed with emotion, Boulder Police Chief Maris Herold detailed the heroic actions of slain officer Eric Talley, 51, who was the first to arrive after responding to a call about shots fired and someone carrying a rifle.The 21-year-old suspect opened fire Monday inside a crowded Colorado supermarket in an attack that killed 10 people, including Talley, and sent terrorized shoppers and employees scrambling for cover."To have something like this happen so ... close to where you live and to know the fear in the community and to know that the officers sacrificed themselves, it's heartbreaking."Talley didn't have to go into policing: He had a previous career but chose to become an officer, Herold said."He felt a higher calling," she said, noting he loved and cared about his community. "He was willing to die to protect others."Herold lives three blocks from the store and described how heartbreaking it is to talk to victims and their families."I feel numb, and it's heartbreaking," she said Tuesday.Talley's family was in the police chief's office two weeks ago so one of his sons could receive a life-saving award. Herold recounted how Talley taught CPR to his family, and one of his children swallowed a quarter, but another one of his sons was able to save the little boy's life.Talley, who leaves behind seven children, had been with the force since 2010. "He was by all accounts one of the outstanding officers of the Boulder Police Department, and his life was cut too short," Boulder County District Attorney Michael Dougherty said. Dozens of police and emergency vehicles, their lights flashing, escorted an ambulance carrying the slain officer from the shooting scene after nightfall. Some residents stood along the route, their arms raised in salute.Authorities said suspect was from the Denver suburb of Arvada and that he engaged in a shootout with police inside the Boulder store. The suspect was being treated at a hospital and was expected to be booked into the county jail later in the day.Investigators have not established a motive, but authorities believe he was the only shooter, Boulder County District Attorney Michael Dougherty said.A law enforcement official briefed on the shooting told The Associated Press that the gunman used an AR-15 rifle, a lightweight semi-automatic rifle. Officials were trying to trace the gun. The official was not authorized to speak publicly and spoke to AP on condition of anonymity.Hundreds of police officers from throughout the Denver area responded to the attack, converging on a King Soopers supermarket in a busy shopping plaza in southern Boulder.SWAT officers carrying ballistic shields slowly approached the store as others escorted frightened people away from the building, which had some of its windows shattered. Customers and employees fled through a back loading dock to safety. Others took refuge in nearby shops.Officials also identified the other victims. The dead ranged in age from 20 to 65.

Pressed with emotion, Boulder Police Chief Maris Herold detailed the heroic actions of slain officer Eric Talley, 51, who was the first to arrive after responding to a call about shots fired and someone carrying a rifle.

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The 21-year-old suspect opened fire Monday inside a crowded Colorado supermarket in an attack that killed 10 people, including Talley, and sent terrorized shoppers and employees scrambling for cover.

"To have something like this happen so ... close to where you live and to know the fear in the community and to know that the officers sacrificed themselves, it's heartbreaking."

Talley didn't have to go into policing: He had a previous career but chose to become an officer, Herold said.

"He felt a higher calling," she said, noting he loved and cared about his community. "He was willing to die to protect others."

Herold lives three blocks from the store and described how heartbreaking it is to talk to victims and their families.

"I feel numb, and it's heartbreaking," she said Tuesday.

Talley's family was in the police chief's office two weeks ago so one of his sons could receive a life-saving award. Herold recounted how Talley taught CPR to his family, and one of his children swallowed a quarter, but another one of his sons was able to save the little boy's life.

Talley, who leaves behind seven children, had been with the force since 2010.

"He was by all accounts one of the outstanding officers of the Boulder Police Department, and his life was cut too short," Boulder County District Attorney Michael Dougherty said.

Dozens of police and emergency vehicles, their lights flashing, escorted an ambulance carrying the slain officer from the shooting scene after nightfall. Some residents stood along the route, their arms raised in salute.

Authorities said suspect was from the Denver suburb of Arvada and that he engaged in a shootout with police inside the Boulder store. The suspect was being treated at a hospital and was expected to be booked into the county jail later in the day.

Investigators have not established a motive, but authorities believe he was the only shooter, Boulder County District Attorney Michael Dougherty said.

A law enforcement official briefed on the shooting told The Associated Press that the gunman used an AR-15 rifle, a lightweight semi-automatic rifle. Officials were trying to trace the gun. The official was not authorized to speak publicly and spoke to AP on condition of anonymity.

Hundreds of police officers from throughout the Denver area responded to the attack, converging on a King Soopers supermarket in a busy shopping plaza in southern Boulder.

SWAT officers carrying ballistic shields slowly approached the store as others escorted frightened people away from the building, which had some of its windows shattered. Customers and employees fled through a back loading dock to safety. Others took refuge in nearby shops.

Officials also identified the other victims. The dead ranged in age from 20 to 65.