Aurora Police Department K9s Loki and Factor have received bullet and stab protective vests thanks to a charitable donation from non-profit organization Vested Interest in K9s, Inc. K9 Loki’s vest was sponsored by Darby Kelly and Vanessa Ernissee of Heroes with Paws and embroidered with the sentiment “Gifted by Heroes with Paws”.  K9 Factor’s vest was embroidered with the sentiment “Honoring those who served and sacrificed”. 

 Vested Interest in K9s, Inc., established in 2009, is a 501(c)(3) charity whose mission is to provide bullet and stab protective vests and other assistance to dogs of law enforcement and related agencies throughout the United States. This potentially lifesaving body armor for four-legged K9 officers is U.S. made, custom fitted, and NIJ certified.  Since its inception, Vested Interest in K9s, Inc. has provided over 4,327 vests to K9s in all 50 states at a value of $6.9 million, made possible by both private and corporate donations. 

 The program is open to U.S. dogs that are at least 20 months old and actively employed and certified with law enforcement or related agencies.  K9s with expired vests are also eligible to participate.  There are an estimated 30,000 law enforcement K9s throughout the United States.

 Vested Interest in K9s, Inc. accepts tax-deductible contributions in any amount, while a single donation of $960 will sponsor one vest.  Each vest has a value of $1,744-$2,283, weighs an average of 4-5 lb., and comes with a five-year warranty.  For more information, or to learn about volunteer opportunities, please call 508-824-6978.  Vested Interest in K9s, Inc. provides information, lists events, and accepts donations at www.vik9s.org, or you may mail your contribution to P.O. Box 9, East Taunton, MA 02718.   

Officer Crystal McCoy
Public Information Officer
Media Relations Unit
720.432.5095

(July 13) On Monday July 12^th, 2021 at approximately 1:16 p.m., the Aurora Police Department Crisis Response Team (CRT) responded to 4283 South Salida Way after being alerted by community members an adult male there may benefit from mental health crisis resources. 

 The responding CRT consisted of one Aurora police officer, and one clinician from the Aurora Mental Health Center.  The subject contacted, later identified as Jeffrey Moralez DOB 3/3/1979, refused any contact or assistance from CRT.

 Later in the day at approximately 7:11 p.m., Aurora Public Safety Communications received two calls for police service from community members. Both callers reported Mr. Moralez had a firearm on his hip outside near 4283 South Salida Way and was being disruptive. Upon officer’s arrival they observed the male and determined he was not engaged in criminal activity at that time and contact was not initiated.

 At 8:41 p.m. Aurora police officers responded back to 4283 South Salida Way to investigate an allegation that Mr. Moralez was harassing two people. This contact with Mr. Moralez led to an Aurora Police SWAT response at 9:05 p.m. after he pointed a rifle at an officer. It was at this point Mr. Moralez was now being investigated for Felony Menacing charges. The Arapahoe County Sheriff’s Office Bomb Squad and SWAT as well as the Douglas County SWAT responded to the scene with additional resources to provide assistance.

 At 9:11 p.m. the first of four subsequent CodeRED emergency alerts, commonly referred to as Reverse 911 calls, were sent to residents in the area advising to shelter-in-place. If you would like to receive CodeRED alerts please visit Community Notification Enrollment (coderedweb.com) to register.

 After several hours of officers attempting to gain a peaceful surrender through various de-escalation techniques, negotiations, and less lethal options, Mr. Moralez began firing numerous rounds at the SWAT members inside the Arapahoe County Sheriff’s Office SWAT BearCat vehicle at 3:58 a.m. Multiple bullets struck the body and windshield of the BearCat causing significant damage to the windshield. During the time Mr. Moralez was shooting at officers, two Aurora police officers returned fire. Mr. Moralez was not struck by bullets fired by Aurora police officers but did receive shrapnel wounds.

 Finally, at approximately 4:40 a.m. Mr. Moralez surrendered allowing him to be taken into custody. Officers then checked the residence for additional threats and discovered what was later deemed to be a “hoax bomb”.  A hoax bomb is a device made to look real but is in fact not real. Mr. Moralez was transported to an area hospital to be treated for his injuries and that is where he remains as this time.

 The two Aurora police officers involved in the officer-involved shooting have been placed on administrative leave with pay per departmental policy. The Critical Incident Response Team (CIRT) for the 18th Judicial District responded and will be investigating this officer involved shooting incident.  The CIRT Team for the 18th Judicial District conducts independent, multi-agency investigations into officer-involved shootings and in-custody deaths that occur in Arapahoe and Douglas County. As part of Police Chief Vanessa Wilson's "A New Way" Plan to rebuild trust with the community, the Aurora Police Department joined the CIRT Teams for both the 17th and 18th Judicial Districts in April of this year. 

 We would like to express our sincere gratitude to the Arapahoe County Sheriff’s Office SWAT and Bomb Squad, Douglas County SWAT, Aurora Fire Rescue and Falck Rocky Mountain for their assistance in this incident.

 “Aurora police patrol, hostage negotiators, K-9 Unit and SWAT officers faced a very serious threat today for an extended period of time. Their professional and heroic actions likely spared our community from a greater tragedy. There’s not a doubt in my mind their actions saved lives today and prevented further damage. As always, we encourage anyone struggling with a crisis, to please reach out for help by calling our CRT or Colorado Crisis Services at 844-493-TALK (8255)” -Chief Wilson

Officer Crystal McCoy
Public Information Officer
Media Relations Unit
720.432.5095

Image of Jeffrey Moralez

On Monday July 12th, 2021 at 12: 06 a.m., Aurora Police Officers responded to the area of South Memphis Street and East Hampden Avenue in response to a 911 call from the victim of a Domestic Violence incident.

Officers contacted the adult female 911 caller at a 7-11 store located at 15296 East Hampden Avenue at approximately 12:10 a.m. Officers then attempted to coordinate a meeting with suspect of the alleged Domestic Violence incident at the 7-11 store. At approximately 12:30 a.m. a white Ford Taurus arrived at the 7-11 store parking lot. The Ford Taurus drove in the direction of an officer, and the officer made the decision to shoot. The driver of the Ford Taurus fled in the vehicle from the scene. The officer was not injured.

At this time, the driver of the Ford Taurus has not been positively identified and is at-large.  It is not yet known if anyone in the Ford Taurus was injured, or if the driver of the Ford Taurus was the suspect in the Domestic Violence investigation.

The involved officer was hired by the Aurora Police Department in February of 2020 and has not been involved in any prior officer-involved shootings.

All uniformed officers had their department issued body-worn cameras activated at the time of the incident.

The Critical Incident Response Team (CIRT) for the 18th Judicial District responded and will be investigating this officer involved shooting incident.  The CIRT Team for the 18th Judicial District conducts independent, multi-agency investigations into officer-involved shootings and in-custody deaths that occur in Arapahoe and Douglas County. As part of Police Chief Vanessa Wilson's "A New Way" Plan to rebuild trust with the community, the Aurora Police Department joined the CIRT Teams for both the 17th and 18th Judicial Districts in April of this year. 

 We are requesting all members of the public who were a witness to the events leading up to and after the officer-involved shooting to please contact Metro Denver Crime Stoppers.

Officer Crystal McCoy
Public Information Officer
Media Relations Unit
720.432.5095

On July 9, 2021 at 10:00 p.m., officers responded to a car crash involving a blue MINI Cooper and a red Honda Civic on eastbound East Colfax Avenue one half of a mile east of Himalaya Street.

The initial investigation suggests the MINI Cooper was traveling eastbound on East Colfax Avenue at a high rate of speed then ran through a red light at Tower Road. Meanwhile, the driver of the Honda Civic was stopped on the eastbound shoulder of East Colfax Avenue facing westbound attempting to make a U-turn back into the proper direction on East Colfax Avenue.  While making the U-turn the Honda Civic was broadsided by the MINI Cooper. Investigators have not yet been able to determine to what degree, if any at all, that speed, alcohol or drugs contributed to the crash. 

The 51-year-old male driver of the MINI Cooper was transported to a local hospital where he was later pronounced deceased.  His identity will be released by the Arapahoe County Coroner's Office once he has been positively identified and his next-of-kin have been notified. 

The 32-year-old female driver of the Honda Civic was extricated from her vehicle and transported to the hospital with serious, but not life-threatening injuries.

Officer Crystal McCoy
Public Information Officer
Media Relations Unit
720.432.5095