State Patrol Training Academy Mourns Loss Of Cadet Killed In Crash
LONGMONT, Colo. (CBS4) - A man arrested for allegedly hitting and killing a Colorado state trooper cadet will appear in court this week in Boulder County.
Christopher Gebers, 27, was treated for injuries and taken to the Boulder County Jail where he remains.
The tragedy happened on Saturday east of Longmont on Highway 66 when a speeding motorist running from a traffic stop crashed into a scene of an accident. State trooper cadet Taylor Thyfault , 21, was killed. Trooper Clinton Rushing, 37, was seriously injured.
The Colorado State Patrol Training Academy community in Golden is mourning the loss. Staff members are very shaken up. The flag at the academy was lowered to half-staff to honor Thyfault.
A supervisor told CBS4 Thyfault died doing what he loved.
Troopers also flew the flags at the state Capitol to honor Thyfault. Countless peace officers covered their badges, mourning the loss. Hearts were heavy as a hero was escorted home.
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"As a cadet he was one of our squad leaders for this class, so he was very well liked, very well received, and it's certainly going to be a great loss for our family," Trooper Josh Lewis said.
"Right up until the end he was doing his job, protecting the community. And I know the State Patrol, and I know his family are proud about that," Cmdr. Jeff Satur with the Longmont Police Department said.
Gebers is being held on 11 charges including first-degree murder, attempted murder and vehicular homicide. According to a police report released Sunday, Gebers was speeding in excess of 100 miles per hour down Highway 66 avoiding pursuit by another trooper. Longmont police have served Gebers' Federal Heights home with a search warrant.
Rushing remains in critical care with serious injuries. A fund has been set up to support him in his recovery, and Thyfault's family.