District Attorney Alexis King confirms that the First Judicial District Critical Incident Response Team (CIRT) is helming the investigation of Monday’s tragic events in Olde Town Arvada.
CIRT responded immediately to the initial call out to law enforcement on Monday June 21, 2021, and has led the investigation into the death of Johnny Hurley since that time. As with all CIRT investigations in the First Judicial District, District Attorney King also responded immediately to the scene along with her senior administration, to include both Assistant District Attorneys, Chief and Senior Chief Deputy District Attorneys, and Chief and Senior Investigators. The lead agency for this CIRT investigation is the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office, and agencies including the Wheat Ridge Police Department, Golden Police Department, Lakewood Police Department, Blackhawk Police Department, and District Attorney King’s investigators are participating.
CIRT investigates any incident in which a law enforcement officer within the First Judicial District uses deadly force, or attempts to use deadly force, against a human being while acting under the color of official law enforcement duties. CIRT is comprised of highly trained and skilled investigators working under District Attorney King’s authority and appointed from multiple law enforcement agencies, including her office. This multi-jurisdictional team of objective, dispassionate professionals protects the integrity of the investigation by exercising independent judgment in conducting a thorough investigation. To maintain transparency and reduce conflict of interest, officers from the involved agency do not perform critical duties related to the investigation.
The CIRT investigation into the death of Johnny Hurley is ongoing. It is a massive and complex effort that honors the lives lost through exhaustive and meticulous investigation. To protect the integrity of the CIRT investigation on behalf of Mr. Hurley’s family and loved ones and the public, limited information has been released. District Attorney King appreciates the significant and warranted public interest in these tragic events, but emphasizes that premature release of information can compromise witness interviews and other evidence collection that is critical to a fully vetted investigation outcome. Ethical rules also prohibit the release of additional information at this time. Upon completion, the results of this investigation will be presented to District Attorney King to determine whether criminal charges are appropriate, and she will issue her decision publicly in accordance with applicable law. Further statements will be made at that time, including a Town Hall open to the public held by District Attorney King and this investigation’s CIRT commander.
District Attorney King said, “We are committed to transparency, and the complete results of the investigation into Johnny Hurley’s death and all pertinent facts will be made known at the completion of the investigation, when all witnesses have been interviewed and evidence collected, and when doing so does not compromise reaching a just result.”
District Attorney King expresses her deepest condolences to the family and loved ones of Officer Beesley and Johnny Hurley and all those affected by Monday’s tragedy.