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Those Who Serve: Officer Custodio and K9 Bolt Officer Custodio and K9 Bolt are an important part of the #ThorntonPD patrol team. Together, they assist with tracking suspects and missing persons, locating evidence, and supporting officers during critical incidents. They help make our community safer every day! Learn more about them. 👇 What’s your go-to snack or coffee order during a long shift? What about Bolt's favorite reward or toy? Black coffee…. Maybe a nerd cluster or two if I’m feeling crazy. Bolt will jump, crawl, destroy anything in his path for a tennis ball. What’s something most people don’t realize about training and caring for a K9 partner? K9 is the only “tool” with mind of its own, so the training must meet reality. It is rewarding when all the training pays off. It is truly a 24/7 job that comes home with the handlers. What’s been one of your favorite moments working together? There’s been more than I can count, but probably our first apprehension on the street. Bolt was able to catch a vehicle theft suspect as he attempted to climb a fence to escape. Bolt was able to hold the suspect until cover officers placed him in handcuffs. If Bolt could speak, what three words do you think he would use to describe you? Really good chauffeur. If you weren’t in law enforcement, what do you think you’d be doing? Something sports related. Coach or a scout for a baseball team/organization.

#ThorntonPD officers enjoyed connecting with members of the Afghan community at the Colorado Afghan American Association’s Eid Mela at Carpenter Park a couple weeks ago. It was a great afternoon of food, music, sports and community!

NEWS RELEASE: Thornton Police investigate shooting The Thornton Police Department is investigating a shooting that occurred at 8:20 p.m. on June 7 in the 200 block of East 120th Avenue. Officers were dispatched to the area after a caller reported being shot in the leg. Minutes later, a witness also reported a nearby shooting to dispatch. Upon arrival, officers located a 40-year-old man near his vehicle in a parking lot suffering from an apparent gunshot wound. The suspect had fled the scene before officers arrived. Officers immediately began rendering aid until medical personnel arrived. The victim was transported to a local hospital, where it was determined that he sustained serious bodily injury. Investigators are working to determine the circumstances that led to the shooting and to identify the suspect. The suspect vehicle is described as a black sedan, and the suspect is described as a Hispanic male. Anyone with information related to this incident is encouraged to contact the Thornton Police Department Tip Line at 720-977-5069. This investigation remains active and ongoing. The information released at this time reflects what is currently known and may change as additional details become available.

Another successful Thorntonfest in the books! Happy 70th birthday to the @CityofThornton 🎉☀️

There is a large police presence near the 200 block of East 120th Avenue as officers investigate a shooting. One victim was transported to the hospital with non-life-threatening injuries, and officers are working to develop suspect information. Preliminary investigation indicates the shooting may be related to a road rage incident. Updates will be shared as they become available.

🚫 Los fuegos artificiales son ilegales en Thornton. Repórtelos al 720-977-5150. Deseche sus fuegos artificiales sin sanción en cualquier estación de bomberos de Thornton hasta el 10 de julio. Más información: gocot.net/fireworks

🚫 Fireworks are illegal in Thornton. Report violations: 720-977-5150. Dispose of fireworks, with no penalty, at any Thornton fire station through July 10. Learn more: gocot.net/fireworks   @ThorntonPolice  @ThorntonFire

Those Who Serve: Detective Koehn Detective Koehn primarily investigates crimes against children, handling some of the department’s most sensitive and difficult cases with professionalism and compassion. In addition to her investigative work, she also serves as an advisor for the #ThorntonPD Explorers Program, helping mentor and guide young people interested in a future in law enforcement. Whether supporting victims or investing in the next generation, her dedication to serving others is evident in everything she does! Get to know her. 👇 What made you want to become a detective? I have spent most of my career as an officer working with juveniles. That experience has changed my perspective on the challenges many young people face, especially those who have been victimized. In many cases, a part of their innocence has been taken from them. Through those experiences, I realized I wanted to continue serving in a more impactful way. What’s the biggest misconception people have about detectives? I think one of the biggest misconceptions is that cases are solved and prosecuted quickly. Even after a suspect is identified, there is still a significant amount of work involved throughout the investigation and prosecution process. Having a great team is truly what makes a case successful. What’s been one of your most rewarding moments in investigations? Seeing individuals who were once victims go on to succeed and thrive is very rewarding. I have watched young victims grow into remarkable people, demonstrating incredible strength and resilience after everything they have endured. If you weren’t in law enforcement, what do you think you’d be doing? My dream job would be training service animals! I would also love to own a flower shop, which is ironic since I never remember to water my plants.

Over Memorial Day weekend, the #ThorntonPD Traffic Unit teamed up with Colorado State Patrol and surrounding agencies for a high-visibility enforcement operation targeting speeding, reckless driving, and move-over violations on I-25. Our officers contacted 81 drivers and issued 67 speeding tickets — and this driver thought 124 mph was acceptable. It's not. Speeding like this puts every person on the road at risk. It's dangerous and it won't be tolerated. Slow down, move over for emergency vehicles, and make sure everyone makes it home. #ThorntonPD is committed to making our streets and highways safer for everyone, and we'll keep showing up to make that happen.

Mission accomplished 🫡 The school year may be coming to an end, but you’ll still see your #ThorntonPD SROs out and about all summer long. 😎 Stay safe and enjoy the break!

Reminder: See something, say something! If you think a crime may be occurring, or that your safety or the safety of your neighbors may be at risk, don’t hesitate to call 911. If it’s not an emergency but something doesn’t seem right, report it through the #ThorntonPD non-emergency line at 720-977-5150. Things worth reporting: • People checking vehicles or mailboxes • Unfamiliar vehicles repeatedly circling • Someone attempting to access homes or garages • Suspicious activity caught on camera While it may seem minor or easy to dismiss, information from residents often helps identify patterns, connect incidents, and prevent additional crimes. Not every unusual situation is criminal, but if something feels off, let us check it out. Public safety is a shared responsibility, and reporting suspicious activity early can make a difference.

This #MemorialDay, we honor and remember the brave men and women who gave their lives in service to our country. Their sacrifice and dedication will never be forgotten. From all of us at #ThorntonPD, we wish you a safe and meaningful day as we reflect and remember.

NEWS RELEASE: Thornton police investigate domestic homicide; suspect later dies by suicide The Thornton Police Department has concluded a homicide investigation that began in the early morning hours of March 15, 2026, at a residence in the 13200 block of Downing Street. Officers responded after 42-year-old Chad Gililland reported that his wife, 43-year-old Cheyenne Gililland, was unresponsive. Upon arrival, officers located Cheyenne lying on the floor inside the residence with no visible signs of fatal injuries. She was pronounced deceased at the scene, and detectives immediately launched an investigation. Determining the manner of death required extensive forensic testing by the Adams County Coroner’s Office, along with additional analysis of evidence and investigative follow-up. On May 20, the coroner determined the manner of death to be homicide and listed the cause of death as closed head injuries due to blunt force impacts to the head due to a physical assault. Through the course of the investigation, Thornton Police detectives, in partnership with the 17th Judicial District Attorney’s Office, established probable cause to believe that Chad was responsible for the death of his wife. On March 23, eight days after Cheyenne’s death, dispatchers received a report of a shooting at the Gililland residence. A caller reported that an adult male had shot himself. Officers arrived on scene and confirmed that Chad had died by suicide. Due to Chad’s death, the investigation is considered closed. “No family should have to experience a loss like this,” said Thornton Police Chief Jim Baird. “Our thoughts remain with Cheyenne's loved ones and everyone affected by this tragedy. We hope that sharing information about this case brings attention to the seriousness of domestic violence and reminds anyone struggling that they are not alone and support is available.” For information on identifying abuse, visit thehotline.org/identify-abus…. For legal assistance and protection order information, visit psghelps.org. The Thornton Police Department and our Victim Services Unit can be reached by calling 720-977-5150 or 911 in an emergency. Additional support is available through the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233, and the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline at 988.

In case you missed it, Officer Duskey was recently named the first ever School Resource Officer of the Year by Adams 12 Five Star Schools! This recognition reflects the lasting impact he continues to make within the schools and the relationships he has built with students, staff, and the community. School staff praised his proactive and supportive approach, noting that he empowers students to make informed decisions and consistently reinforces that his role is to guide and support, not just enforce. His professionalism, authenticity, and genuine care for others have made him a trusted presence throughout Thornton. We are incredibly lucky to have him at #ThorntonPD!

Those Who Serve: Officer Cullen Officer Cullen leads firearms training at #ThorntonPD's North Metro Police Academy (NMPA). The standards he sets and the time he invests in each officer directly carry over into the field, strengthening officer and community safety! What drew you to working in the Training Unit? I found great fulfilment in teaching others while in the military and wanted to replicate that same growth for our department. What’s something most people don’t realize about how officers are trained? Most people don’t understand the amount of time required by the Colorado POST to just become an officer, let alone the ongoing amount of time to maintain certification annually. Thornton PD exceeds that standard not only with time, but with high-quality training. What’s been one of your most rewarding moments as an instructor? As a POST Instructor, I’ve had many. But my most dear would be when I had the opportunity to oversee NMPA Class 2 graduate from recruits to police officers. If you weren’t in this role, what do you think you’d be doing? As much as I love the Training Unit, my heart is still with patrol. It’s the best job in law enforcement.

Friday’s Law Enforcement Torch Run was an incredible reminder of what community support can do! 🤝 Together, we raised more than $6,000 to support @SpecOlympicsCO athletes. Thank you to everyone who ran, donated, cheered us on, and helped make this event such a success. We couldn’t do it without you!

Today, on Peace Officers Memorial Day, we pause to honor the men and women who gave their lives in service to their communities. Behind every badge is a person who chose to serve, and we will never forget those who gave everything because of that choice. This week, #ThorntonPD officers joined law enforcement from across the nation in Washington, D.C. for National Police Week, standing together in remembrance and solidarity for the fallen and the families they left behind. To all who wear the badge: thank you. And to those who gave everything, we remember you always.