Go to the mobile version of this Web site.

Login | Contact Us | Site Map | Paid archives | Alerts | Electronic edition | Advertise | Subscribe to the paper | Today's Extras
Subscribe

HomeNewsLocal News

Trooper given Medal of Valor

Published February 27, 2008 at 12:30 a.m.

Text size  
Teresa and Doug Templeton, parents of state Trooper Zachary Templeton, who was killed Oct. 11 when struck by a pickup on Interstate 76 while assisting a motorist, fight
back tears as Col. Mark Trostel, chief of the Colorado State Patrol, presents them an honorary flag and
congressional citation recognizing the heroism and service of their son at ceremonies Tuesday at the
Holiday Inn Denver West Village.

Photo by Dennis Schreder / The Rocky

Teresa and Doug Templeton, parents of state Trooper Zachary Templeton, who was killed Oct. 11 when struck by a pickup on Interstate 76 while assisting a motorist, fight back tears as Col. Mark Trostel, chief of the Colorado State Patrol, presents them an honorary flag and congressional citation recognizing the heroism and service of their son at ceremonies Tuesday at the Holiday Inn Denver West Village.

Zachary Templeton

Zachary Templeton

Trooper Jay Hemphill is presented the state partrol's Medal of Valor for his actions July 16 at the state Capitol, when an armed man threatened the governor. Colorado Lt. Gov. Barbara O'Brien applauds the trooper.

Photo by Dennis Schreder / The Rocky

Trooper Jay Hemphill is presented the state partrol's Medal of Valor for his actions July 16 at the state Capitol, when an armed man threatened the governor. Colorado Lt. Gov. Barbara O'Brien applauds the trooper.

The state trooper who shot and killed an armed gunman at the State Capitol last summer today received the State Patrol Medal of Valor, its highest award.

Trooper Jay Hemphill became the 41st trooper to receive the honor.

"We will never know what would have happened had it not been for Trooper Hemphill that day," said Col. Mark Trostel, chief of the Colorado State Patrol.  

On July 17, a tuxedo-clad Aaron Snyder appeared outside Gov. Bill Ritter's office armed with a gun in his pants pocket.

Hemphill drew his gun and told Snyder to stop. When he didn't, Hemphill shot him.

Hemphill is a 13-year veteran of the Colorado State Patrol.

Comments

  • February 26, 2008

    9:29 p.m.

    Suggest removal

    Theoldguy writes:

    Jay Hemphill did exactly what he was supposed to do. That's all you can ask for. Live long and prosper Trooper Hemphill.

  • February 27, 2008

    8:33 a.m.

    Suggest removal

    gs writes:

    Yes I agree, good job. And, couple the above with an almost 50% drop in the fatality rate that was reported last week (?) the Patrol needs to be commended.

    I recommend the Patrol be given the responsiblity to police all the freeways. Remember the video of the woman driving while asleep on I-25? The Patrol could not pull her over quicker because of jurisdiction problems

Post your comment

Registration is required. Click here to create your free user account, or login below.

Comments are the sole responsibility of the person posting them. You agree not to post comments that are off topic, defamatory, obscene, abusive, threatening or an invasion of privacy. Violators may be banned. Click here for our full user agreement.




(Forgotten your password?)




News Tip

Know about something we should be reporting? Tell us about it.


Reprints