Thornton Police Dept

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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 (UPDATE): Thornton police investigate triple homicide; suspect identified and believed to have died by suicide The Thornton Police Department has identified the suspect in a triple homicide that occurred on the evening of May 22 in the 13900 block of Harrison Street. Officers were dispatched shortly after 8 p.m. after a family member reported concern that multiple individuals inside the residence were unresponsive. Upon arrival, officers entered the home and located four deceased individuals with apparent gunshot wounds: two adult males, one adult female, and one juvenile male. Based on the initial investigation, detectives believe one of the adult males, a 33-year-old, fatally shot the three other family members before dying by suicide. Suspect and victim identities are being withheld pending positive identification by the Adams County Coroner’s Office and notification of next of kin. The investigation remains active, and the information released reflects what is currently known. The entire Thornton Police Department is deeply saddened by this tragedy and extends its condolences to the family and loved ones of everyone involved. We recognize that incidents like this are difficult for neighbors and our entire community. Those in need of support are encouraged to seek available resources. The Thornton Police Department, our Victim Services Unit, and our Co-Responder Team are available to provide support and can be reached at 720-977-5150, or by calling 911 in an emergency.  Additional resources are available through the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline at 988.

NEWS RELEASE: Thornton Police investigate homicide The Thornton Police Department is investigating a homicide that occurred on the evening of May 22 in the 13900 block of Harrison Street. Officers were dispatched shortly after 8 p.m. following a report from a family member who believed multiple individuals were unresponsive inside the residence. Upon arrival, officers made entry and located four people obviously deceased. Their identities are being withheld pending positive identification by the Adams County Coroner's Office and notification of next of kin. Detectives believe there is no threat to the community. The investigation remains ongoing, and the information provided reflects what is currently known. Anyone with additional information related to this incident is encouraged to contact the Thornton Police Department tip line at 720-977-5069.

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-abuse. 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.

We are so sorry to announce that, due to tomorrow's weather forecast, we will be canceling the May 20 Summer Kickoff. We are looking at another date in August to make up this event, and will share that information as soon as we can! Be sure to check out the @CityofThornton summer events calendar as we will have police officers at most of the large events and would love the chance to connect with you all there: thorntonco.gov/community.../f…

We invite you to celebrate the start of summer at this year's Summer Kickoff Party on May 20, 6 - 8 p.m. at Carpenter Park, 3498 E. 112th Ave., near the carousel and splash pad. This free, family-friendly event brings together public safety teams, city departments, and local partners for an evening packed with fun, food, and community connection. Stop by Thornton PD team tents and meet your public safety teams, including Community Liaison Officers, Animal Control, Victim Services, Dispatch, and Co-Responders, plus Code Compliance, Community Connections, and more. There will also be big attractions and live demonstrations such as a helicopter landing, emergency vehicles on display, Karate demonstration, face painting, food trucks, yard games and access to the park's carousel and splash pad area. Bring your family, invite your neighbors, and join us for an evening of excitement, engagement, and summer celebration! For more information, contact the Thornton Police Department Community Liaison Team at CLO@ThorntonCO.gov.

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.

Missing Indigenous Person Alert Activation Dakota Santiago, Indigenous female with pink hair and brown eyes, 5'07"/100 lbs, last seen in Thornton, Colorado. Dakota Santiago was last seen wearing a white sweater and black sweatpants. If seen, please Thornton PD at 720-977-5150.

Congratulations to #ThorntonPD Officers Wise, Klein, Myers, Kingsley, Warman and Wyatt on completing the Adams County Crisis Intervention Team (CIT) Training! This intensive week-long course trains officers to better identify and de-escalate crisis situations with compassion and skill. Each officer participated in real-world scenarios that increased in difficulty, with fellow students providing valuable feedback along the way. A special shoutout to Officer Wyatt, who earned the Outstanding Student Award for his exceptional performance and dedication throughout the training. We are proud of all six graduates and the commitment they show to serving our community.

NEWS RELEASE: Thornton Police investigate homicide The Thornton Police Department is investigating a homicide that occurred just after 3 a.m. on May 10 in the 9700 block of Ogden Court. Officers were dispatched to the area after a caller reported that someone was attempting to break into their vehicle and that shots had been fired. Upon arrival, officers located a crashed truck. A 34-year-old male was found near the crashed truck suffering from apparent gunshot wounds. Investigators believe the individual seen breaking into vehicles attempted to leave the area in the truck following the shooting, at which point he struck multiple parked vehicles before coming to a stop. Officers began rendering aid until medical personnel arrived. The victim was transported to a local hospital, where he was pronounced deceased. His identity is being withheld pending positive identification by the Adams County Coroner's Office and notification of next of kin. The homicide suspect, a 23-year-old male, was quickly identified on scene and taken into custody in connection with the incident. He was arrested and later released pending charges and further investigation. Investigators do not believe the victim and suspect knew each other. The Thornton Police Department thanks nearby residents for their assistance and cooperation in providing critical information during the initial investigation. The investigation remains ongoing, and the information provided reflects what is currently known. Details may change as the investigation continues. Anyone with additional information related to this incident is encouraged to contact the Thornton Police Department tip line at 720-977-5069.

#ThorntonPD officers are investigating a shooting outside a residence in the 9700 block of Ogden Court. One person has died, and one suspect is in custody. There is no ongoing threat to the public. Please stay clear of the area while the investigation continues.

🚨 Yet Another Fraud Alert! 🚨 We want to bring yet another scam to your attention. This time, scammers are impersonating us — even spoofing our phone number: 303-654-1850. A resident recently received this fake “warrant” along with a phone call from someone claiming to be “Sgt. Phillips” (we do not have a Sgt. Phillips). The caller demanded money to avoid arrest. Unfortunately, the victim paid the scammers a small sum using Bitcoin. We have removed their name from this document. ⚠️ THIS IS A SCAM ⚠️ Here are several reasons this document is fake: • There is no “Western District” for the United States District Courts. Ours is the District of Colorado. • Federal agencies would not issue warrants through a Sheriff’s Office. Federal agencies enforce federal law, while we enforce state law. • You wouldn't be sentenced to “Federal Probation” on a state case. • We’re not sure what a “Violation Petition” is, but it is not a charging process we do. • An $80,000 fine is extremely excessive for a misdemeanor offense — and likely what the scammers requested from the victim. • Sheriff’s Deputies do not issue warrants. Judges and Magistrates issue arrest warrants. • The document states payment must be converted into a “Federally Insured Digital Asset.” That’s just a fancy way to describe cryptocurrency. Neither our office nor the federal government will require payment in cryptocurrency. We are committed to educating our community about scams to help prevent more victims. If you are ever unsure whether a phone call, email, or text message is legitimately from the Sheriff’s Office, contact us directly or call non-emergency dispatch at 303-288-1535 and request to speak with us. #Scam #AdamsCounty #LawEnforcement #ScamAlert

This man was part of a month-long metro Denver crime spree that hit convenience stores in Broomfield, Westminster, Federal Heights, Thornton, Denver & Aurora. The FBI Denver Rocky Mountain Safe Streets Task Force got the case, and now he will serve real federal time. ow.ly/B1uP50YVF7p

Those Who Serve: Emergency Communications Specialist Sellers Dispatcher Sellers serves as a vital link between the community and first responders. Through quick decision-making, attention to detail and steady communication, she ensures officers have the information they need to respond safely and effectively. Does this sound like a calling to you? #ThorntonPD is currently hiring dispatchers: governmentjobs.com/careers/thornt… Get to know Dispatcher Sellers. 👇 What's one thing the public might not know about your job? When you call 911 or the non-emergency line, we might also be working a radio channel(s). So, while answering calls from our citizens, we also have Police Officers, Animal Control and Firefighters talking to us at the same time. Why did you choose to be a dispatcher? I always knew I wanted to have a career in Law Enforcement in some way because of my dad. He has been a Police Officer my whole life, and being a proud daughter, I wanted to follow in his footsteps. I started by looking into dispatching and quickly discovered how much I loved it. What's one of your favorite moments where you felt you made a difference? It's truly hard to pick just one moment, but there's one that comes to mind. During a traumatic situation for the caller, I was able to quickly build a rapport with her and helped build her confidence back up so that she could get her friend the help she needed right away, while also keeping herself safe. She took a deep breath and said, "You're right, I can do this". She was able to encourage herself to keep going while keeping her composure in the midst of a devastating situation. This was a reminder that being the calm voice in moments of crisis does make a difference. If you weren’t a dispatcher, what would you be? Definitely a Crime Scene Investigator!

Just a regular day out on patrol! We love connecting with kids wherever we are, not just at schools or events, but in the everyday moments in between. Looking forward to more of this through spring and summer!

Message from Chief Baird: Audit determines no evidence of Flock misuse by Thornton Police Officer The City of Thornton recently received a complaint regarding a police officer’s use of the Flock Automated License Plate Reader (ALPR) system. The complaint was submitted by a representative of a group calling itself “Thornton for All.” It alleged misuse of the system by a specific Thornton Police Officer. The primary focus of the complaint was the volume of searches conducted. I directed an investigation, as I would for any formal complaint. This particular complaint received significant public attention across social media as well as some local news outlets. For this reason, I am sharing our findings with the community to provide clarity and context. The data provided with the complaint was reviewed but dismissed for purposes of this audit due to unreliability. When evaluating this third-party website data, it was clear the issues articulated in the website’s disclaimer were significant. Instead, our audit focused on internal system records of actual usage by this officer. The actual data revealed this officer performed 10,318 searches in the system during this timeframe, not the 19,194 searches alleged in the complaint. Our review confirmed the officer’s access to the system was consistent with the governing TPD ALPR policy at the time. His system use was supported by legitimate law enforcement and public safety objectives. There was no evidence to support any allegation of misuse. It was determined during our investigation that this officer routinely reviews the state’s Auto Theft Intelligence Coordination Center (ATICC) list of active stolen vehicles. His practice is to identify and prioritize vehicles on this list associated with violent crime. He then utilizes the department’s ALPR system to determine whether these vehicles have recently been captured by local ALPR cameras. If so, he shares relevant details with other officers in attempt to locate the vehicle and prevent further crime. This officer’s dedication to public safety objectives, as well as his tenacity in locating vehicles associated with victimizing members of our Thornton community, is clearly evident. When unverified and inaccurate information circulates, this can negatively shape public perception and damage valuable community trust. I am sharing these findings to provide necessary detail and context, as well as to ensure ongoing public discussion is grounded in fact. I am committed to ensuring law enforcement technology is used responsibly in accordance with department policy. This includes maintaining clear oversight and providing transparency in how we use these essential tools. The Thornton Police Department’s mission will always be grounded in public safety. I couldn’t be more proud of the people who serve our community in pursuit of this mission.

During National Crime Victims’ Rights Week, the @da17colorado honored Thornton Police Detective Tonya DiGiacomo with the Dale R. McLaughlin Award for Outstanding Service to Victims in Law Enforcement. She was recognized for her work on a child kidnapping/sexual assault case and a violent domestic violence case, where her detailed investigations, strong testimony, and victim support helped lead to successful outcomes. Her professionalism and compassion reflect the highest standards of service. #ThorntonPD is incredibly lucky to have her!