Aurora
Among the 200 or so people who came to honor fallen Aurora police officer Doug Byrne on Wednesday was a young man who felt Byrne’s influence more than most.
Fifteen-year-old Brandon Cadena had known Byrne since he was about 7, when Byrne was a cop in Glendale.
The officer, Brandon recalled, was always first on the scene to any call in his neighborhood. Brandon said he and Byrne would “take” radar together to catch speeders. He would even stop by to give Christmas presents to Brandon. The youngster proudly wore the police cap Byrne gave him.
“He was my friend,” Brandon said Wednesday outside a public memorial at Aurora police headquarters, where Brandon clutched four pictures of himself and Byrne. “I saw him every day.
“Even more now, I want to be a cop.”
Byrne had that effect on people. That was apparent at the memorial, where those who knew him and others who didn’t came to pay their respects to the officer and former Marine.
Byrne, 37, died early Monday after crashing his police car while responding to a call of a man having a seizure. It was not clear whether Byrne was wearing a seat belt, and police did not say why he was responding to a medical emergency.
“One day you (God) walked out to your rose garden and plucked one of your favorite roses,” said the Rev. James Coleman. “We are so proud that you chose Doug as an example for all of us to follow.”
Coleman was among several clergy members who said prayers and offered words of encouragement to Byrne’s family and his fellow police officers.
Coleman knew Byrne personally. He would see him on the streets of Aurora where Coleman ministered, and Byrne would stop to offer assistance to the reverend.
“He’d always ask if I was OK, to call him if I needed any help,” Coleman recalled.
Imam Ammar Amonette of the Colorado Muslim Society praised officers like Byrne for putting their lives on the line to protect others.
“Every day they lay down their lives and expose themselves to great danger,” Amonette said. “Truly that is the highest calling.”
At the conclusion of the 30-minute ceremony, several doves were released.
Police Chief Dan Oates thanked everyone for their thoughts and prayers.
“The outpouring of support from the community is truly staggering,” Oates said. “This means a great deal to the department to have this day of grieving and condolences.”
Funeral services for Byrne are scheduled for 10 a.m. Friday at the Heritage Christian Center, 9495 E. Florida Ave. The service is public but seating is limited. Burial follows at Fort Logan National Cemetery.
Also at the memorial Wednesday were Byrne’s parents, Don and Barbara Byrne. A few hours earlier, the couple gave a brief statement to the media at the Tallyn’s Reach library in southeast Aurora.
“If you were ever in a situation where you had to call 911 and you needed help, you’d want Doug at your doorstep,” his father said. “I guarantee you.”
His parents had stayed silent since their son’s death, but decided to speak out, in part, they said, because of the media coverage. They also wanted to send their thoughts out to the family of the man who suffered the seizure. That man, Sedrick Niblet, died from a heart condition as he was playing basketball at the park minutes after Byrne crashed.
“We also want to express our sorrow to the Niblet family, who lost their son this week,” Don Byrne said. “We are very sorry.”
Service arrangements for Niblet are pending.
Don Byrne called Doug a wonderful son, brother and friend, a man who dedicated his life to protecting his country and his community.
“Everyone who met him was touched by him,” his father said.
Brandon Cadena can attest to that.
Staff writer Carlos Illescas can be reached at 303-954-1175 or cillescas@denverpost.com.
