Golden honors officer killed in suspected DUI crash Wednesday on Highway 58

DENVER (KDVR) — The city of Golden is honoring the life of the police officer who died in a suspected DUI crash on Wednesday night.

Officer Evan Dunn, 33, formerly served as an Army Aviation Officer and Blackhawk pilot before joining the Golden Police Department. Dunn was also an active Captain in the Army National Guard.

"We are a family," said Golden Police Chief Joe Harvey in a city of Golden social media post. "We are very close with each other and with our community. Evan had a bright future and was destined to do great things, and we will never get over his loss. We can only continue doing the job he loved in his honor."

Dunn began working with the Golden Police Department as a Code Enforcement Officer and enrolled in the police academy after about a year of service in that role, the department shared Thursday.

Dunn celebrated graduating from the police academy in July and was partnered with his field training officer, Bethany Grusing. Grusing, who has been with the Golden Police Department since 2020, also sustained serious injuries in the crash.

“She has a broken heart as well,” Harvey said in the post.

Dunn is survived by his wife, Annalise; their beloved dog, Remy; and his parents and two siblings.

Annalise said that her husband was a man of faith who was loyal, steady, quiet and observant. The couple loved to enjoy nature together and would camp and travel on their time off.

On Thursday, Gov. Jared Polis ordered that flags across the state be flown at half-staff from sunrise to sundown on the day of Dunn's memorial service. Golden police stated they are working on funeral arrangements and confirming plans for those who wish to offer their support.

“I am deeply saddened by the loss of Officer Dunn, and my thoughts go out to his family and friends on the Golden Police Department," Polis said in his order. "We also hope for a speedy recovery for the officer who was injured in this incident. Our law enforcement officers put themselves in harm's way to protect Coloradans day in and day out, and that’s exactly what Officer Dunn and his partner, Officer Bethany Grusing, were doing. We are grateful for their service and commitment to keeping Coloradans safe.”

The department offered its thanks to the community, as well as the Colorado State Patrol, Arvada Police Department and Jefferson County Sheriff's Department, which are offering assistance to the Golden Police Department as it navigates this difficult time.

Those who wish to donate can do so through Colorado Fallen, the official donation website for Dunn.