John Bowlen Tells Dispatcher: 'I Swear On My Dad's Life'
GLENDALE, Colo. (CBS4) – New details emerged about the domestic violence arrest of John Bowlen, the son of ailing Broncos owner Pat Bowlen, with the release of the 911 call. The younger Bowlen, considered one of seven potential heirs to the Broncos franchise, was arrested Wednesday night after a fight with his girlfriend.
His girlfriend, 27, whose name was redacted from court documents, called 9-1-1 from Bowlen's high rise apartment in Glendale. After relaying her location to the dispatcher, she said "Hurry, please help!" and the line was disconnected.
According to police reports, she claims Bowlen, "made comments to kill someone he had a prior conflict with" and then "became enraged" when she suggested calling for help. As she was calling 911, she claims Bowlen, 28, grabbed her shoulders and shoved her against a bathroom wall. Bowlen has been charged with misdemeanor harassment and obstruction of telephone service, both considered acts of domestic violence.
Moments later dispatchers called back and Bowlen picked up.
"This is the owner of the Denver Broncos," Bowlen told the dispatcher. "I am sorry. K. I have a crazy girlfriend that is leaving my house right now. Nothing is wrong at all."
"Were you guys having a verbal argument?" The dispatcher asked.
"No, no, no. She's leaving right now," said Bowlen. "I swear on my Dad's life."
Bowlen's father, Pat, recently relinquished control of the Broncos after the family went public with his fight with Alzheimer's disease.
"You understand that a female calling asking for help on 911 is kind of a big deal?" The dispatcher asked.
"As the bloodline of the city I'm telling you right now nothing is wrong and she is leaving my house," said Bowlen.
She tells police they were both drinking and Bowlen was inhaling whippets.
"I am sober," Bowlen told the dispatcher. "I am a man of my word, a man of the city, a friend of the mayor, and everyone knows exactly who I am. I'm going through a lot because I've been taking care of my dad."
Then Bowlen ends the call.
"She is leaving right now, nothing is wrong," he tells the dispatcher. "I love you guys. Thank you. Bye, Bye."
"Don't hang up on me," replied the dispatcher to no avail.
Bowlen was released from the Arapahoe County jail Thursday evening on a personal recognizance bond. Monitored sobriety is a condition of his bond. He is due back in court on July 6 and has been placed on an indefinite leave from his administrative position with the Denver Broncos.
The Denver Broncos released this statement on Thursday: "We are disappointed to learn of the matter involving John Bowlen, who is a son of Owner Pat Bowlen and an administrative employee with the organization. While this is a personal issue, he is accountable to all club and league conduct policies. As such, John will be placed on an indefinite leave of absence from the organization."
Mark Ackerman is a Special Projects Producer at CBS4. Follow him on Twitter @ackermanmark