Officer Bruce VanderJagt was shot and killed while assisting another agency in an attempt to apprehend burglary suspects they had chased for 30 miles into Denver. As Officer VanderJagt was approaching the apartment the suspect opened fire on him with a fully automatic SKS rifle and he was struck several times in the head and torso. He was pronounced dead at 3:58 pm at Denver Medical Health Center.
The suspect was found dead at approximately 4:30 pm from a self-inflicted gunshot wound from Officer VanderJagt's weapon. The initial suspect who committed the burglary, which eventually led to Officer VanderJagt's murder, was sentenced to life in prison for her role but was later released to a halfway house.
He is survived by his wife and two year old daughter.
