LITTLETON, Colo.—Littleton police Lt. Bill Black, who played a key role in managing the response to the Columbine High School massacre, has died at the age of 58 of cancer.
Black, a member of the police department for 28 years, was buried Thursday.
“Few outside the law enforcement community will fully appreciate what kind of loss we have,” said Senior Agent Donn Kraemer of Lakewood Police. “Because it’s not only a loss for law enforcement, it’s a loss for the community. It truly is.”
Although Columbine was nearby it was not in his jurisdiction. Still, Sgt. Black and other officers from surrounding districts rushed to the scene on April 20, 1999. He was quickly assigned to try to bring some order out of the chaos.
After Columbine he created a college curriculum program, a patrol rifle program and was nationally recognized for his tactical and firearm expertise. He is survived by his wife, Pete.
