Man arrested in weekend slaying of Colorado police officer

The city of ARVADA is located in the state of Colorado. A man has been arrested in the death of a police officer who was shot while trying to break up a large family dispute.

Police said in a statement Monday that Sonny Thomas Almanza was arrested late Sunday in connection with the death of the officer.

Vakoff was shot and killed while he and another officer responded to a fight outside a housing complex. He was the second officer to die in the line of duty.

The man who was wounded in the exchange of gunfire with Vakoff and another officer is currently in a hospital. When he gets out of the hospital, he will be taken to the Jefferson County Jail.

Police said that Vakoff and his colleague were dispatched to check on the well-being of two children when they encountered the trouble. Police Chief Link Strate said at the news conference that the suspect opened fire, wounding a woman, before the officers returned fire. Strate said that the suspect opened fire at Vakoff.

The suspect was hospitalized after being wounded by the officers. Police said the woman was expected to recover from her wounds.

The man was arrested for investigation of first-degree murder, possession of a weapon by a previous offenders, and two counts of child abuse. The department said its investigation was still going on.

In Adams County, a felony charge of assault with a deadly weapon resulted in serious bodily injury to another person. He was sentenced to six years in a youth prison, instead of 15 years in an adult prison.

The city of Arvada has had two police officers slain in the line of duty in as many years. The officer was shot and killed in an ambush by a man with a rifle.

The city of Arvada lit a historic downtown water tower in blue and residents adorned a police car with flowers. There wereCondolence messages from state police agencies.

He was a staff sergeant in the U.S. Air Force for six years. The man was training to be a police officer. Vakoff was a high school graduate.

Strate said this was a tragic loss to the community and to the department but more importantly to his family and loved ones. His service will always be remembered.