Aurora’s police chief said today that Tuesday’s funeral for a detective killed in the line of duty last week will be difficult.
“We’re braced for the ordeal of tomorrow, but also look forward to a day to honor Mike Thomas,” said Chief Dan Oates, after a court appearance today for the shooting suspect.
Brian Allen Washington, 27, is facing first-degree murder charges in Thomas’ death. He was also charged today with attempted first-degree murder of a second police officer who responded to the shooting at Peoria and Montview.
Thomas was killed Sept. 20 as he sat in his car at the intersection.
A preliminary hearing in the case against Washington was set for Dec. 7.
“It’s been five days. The department has been deeply shaken, shaken to its core,” said Oates, after the hearing.
“We’re angry, we’re damn angry about what’s happened.”
Police say the shooting appears to have been random, but are investigating whether it may have been racially motivated.
Washington is black and Thomas was white.
Thomas’ funeral will be at 11 a.m. Tuesday at Heritage Christian
Center, 9495 E. Florida Ave. in Denver After the service, he will
be buried at Fort Logan National Cemetery, 3698 S. Sheridan Blvd.
