Funeral takes place for fallen Arvada police officer Dillon Vakoff
Friends, family and first responders said goodbye on Friday to Arvada police officer Dillon Vakoff who died in the line of duty. Vakoff was killed after responding to a disturbance call last weekend and his funeral took place Friday morning.
Vakoff's death happened on Sunday morning on the 6700 block of 51st Avenue. The disturbance he responded to had apparently started on Saturday and was a dispute over children. Investigators say the suspect -- Sonny Thomas Almanza, 31 -- fired a gun and shot a woman and Vakoff at the scene early Sunday morning.
When Vakoff was hit, his partner tried to save him. He later died at the hospital.
Vakoff had been with the Arvada Police Department since 2017. He was a military veteran who served for 6 years with the U.S. Air Force and had the rank of staff sergeant. He was an Arvada local, who graduated from Ralston Valley High School in 2012.
The funeral service for Dillon Vakoff took place at Flatirons Community Church in Lafayette. Hundreds of first responders showed support at the miles-long procession that preceded it.
Many attendees at the memorial service who were close to Vakoff say his legacy will never be forgotten.
"Our time we had will never be long enough and I'm not sure how to continue on without you, but I will do it," Arvada Officer Megan Esslinger said. "I will do it for you. I will do it for myself. I will do it for everyone in this room because that's what it means to be a brother and sister in blue. It's what Dillon would want."
"Dillon, I love you son and I miss you," Lt. Paul Carroll from the Arvada Police Department said. "Your teammates love you and they miss you as well. We will never forget you, though. We have the watch from here."
Anyone interested in supporting Vakoff's family and loved ones can make a donation by visiting the Colorado Fallen Hero Foundation. Arvada Police confirmed this will be the only official donation site for the fallen officer.
