Flags to fly at half-staff in Colorado Wednesday for memorial service of fallen Golden police officer

A memorial service will be held on Wednesday for Officer Evan Dunn of the Golden Police Department. The 33-year-old was struck and killed by a vehicle last week while he was out of his patrol car and investigating a Colorado crash scene.

Gov. Jared Polis ordered all flags to fly at half-staff during the day on Wednesday to honor Dunn's life.

Three other people were struck by the vehicle on Nov. 6 on Highway 58 near Washington Avenue and two, including Dunn's partner, suffered serious injuries. The driver of the vehicle who allegedly slammed into a car (and caused the car in front of it to run over Dunn) faces DUI charges as well as charges of causing injuries and death.

The public in the Denver metro area has been invited to line the street Wednesday morning ahead of the memorial. At 10 a.m. people can show support along along the sidewalks of Southpark Drive and Southpark Lane. According to police, the best approach will be southbound from Mineral Avenue on Southpark Lane or Southpark Way and proceed to the observation area on foot. 

The memorial service for Dunn will then be at 1 p.m. at Mission Hills Church in Littleton. It will be a private service, and a military helicopter like the one Dunn flew when he was an Army aviation officer will be landing near the church as part of the tribute.

Polis released the following statement about Dunn's death: "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. 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."