Officer and 'Good Samaritan' identified in deadly Olde Town Arvada shooting

by Kyle Cooke • Published on June 21, 2021 • Last modified on June 29, 2021

Officers secure the area around Olde Wadsworth Boulevard, where a police officer was shot and killed June 21, 2021
Credit: Ryan Dunn, Arvada Press/Colorado Community Media

ARVADA, Colo. — Authorities have identified the police officer who was killed by a suspected gunman in a shooting in Olde Town Arvada on June 21.

The deceased officer is Gordon Beesley, a 19-year veteran of the department and school resource officer at Oberon Middle School. The Arvada Press reported that Beesley was working patrol the day of the shooting since school was out for the summer.

Police said another person, described as a "Samaritan" was killed in the shooting. He was later identified as 40-year-old John Hurley, of Golden. Authorities believe Hurley was shot and killed by the same gunman who shot the officer.

Citing the ongoing investigation, police officers have not released many details about what led to the shooting, or how Hurley became involved. Speaking at a June 22 press conference, Arvada Police Chief Link Strate said Beesley was killed by someone who had previously expressed contempt for police officers, but Strate did not elaborate or identify the suspect, who also died.

Strate called Hurley a "true hero."

The shooting happened around 1:30 p.m. Monday near the intersection of Olde Wadsworth Boulevard and West 57th Avenue, where there are many shops and restaurants.

During a press conference the day of the shooting, Arvada Police Department Deputy Chief Ed Brady said there was no ongoing threat to the public.

Ophelia Peaches, 16, is a writer, activist, and drag queen in Denver.

Rocky Mountain PBS

‘I’m stronger in drag’: 16-year-old finds empowerment as Ophelia Peaches

Once told to hide her true self, Marcie Smith reflects on her experiences as an LGBTQ musician

by Alexis Kikoen

•

June 22 2021

Processional for fallen @ArvadaPolice officer: pic.twitter.com/OlDUaGWt9A
— Ryan Dunn (@RyanDunn333) June 21, 2021

"My thoughts are with the family and friends of the officer who was tragically killed in the line of duty while swiftly and bravely responding to protect civilians in the area,” Governor Polis said in a statement.

Witnesses told reporters on scene they could hear multiple gunshots from Denver Beer Company, which has a location on Olde Wadsworth.

The police department first tweeted about the shooting just before 2 p.m., saying an officer was “down.”

Arvada Police, shooting in Olde Town Arvada. One office down, securing the area of 57 and Olde Wadsworth. PIO on scene update to follow.
— Arvada Police (@ArvadaPolice) June 21, 2021

The shooting happened almost exactly three months since the mass shooting at the King Soopers in Boulder that left 10 people dead, including Boulder Police Officer Eric Talley.

Kyle Cooke is the Digital Media Manager at Rocky Mountain PBS. You can reach him at kylecooke@rmpbs.org or on Twitter at @KyleACooke.

Colorado Voices

Arvada mourns the loss of Officer Beesley