FORT COLLINS, Colo.—Larimer County Sheriff Jim Alderden is poised to leave office with all murders—and three cold cases—cleared during his 12-year tenure.
“It is quite an accomplishment,” said Ronald Sloan, director of the Colorado Bureau of Investigation. “There’s a lot of great work that’s been done out there.”
Alderden said the murders and murder-suicides cleared add up to about 26, plus the three cold cases.
The most recent homicide case Larimer County Sheriff’s Office investigated involves the death of Fort Collins resident Kathy Marks, whose common-law husband John Marks Jr. was arrested less than three weeks after she went missing in early to mid-October. There has been no conviction, and the Marks case is pending in 8th Judicial District court.
Alderden said his agency’s personnel, training and forensics lab deserve credit for the past 12 years.
“We pull out all the stops,” he said. “When we’ve had a homicide, we throw everybody at it, and they work around the clock basically until we get it solved.”
Boulder County Sheriff Joe Pelle said it’s “not common” for an agency to clear all its murder investigations and that it’s “quite an accomplishment.”
Three cold cases that had gone unsolved for decades were cleared under Alderden’s leadership, including two last summer.
“A sheriff has to make a decision to dedicate resources to cold cases,” Pelle said. “You’re clearing the slate, which allows the detectives division to be more effective and responsive in the future.”
Alderden announced in June that David Hehn, 46, of Fort Collins, was arrested on suspicion of first-degree murder and second-degree kidnapping in the case of 17-year-old Gay Lynn Dixon. The teenager was found dead Jan. 30, 1982, in Rist Canyon; she had been beaten and shot three times.
Alderden also announced in June an unrelated 1982 homicide case involving the stabbing death of Orma Bell Smith, 94, of Longmont, had been cleared. DNA evidence led officials to confirm that John Agrue, who died in 2009, murdered Smith.
Sloan said technology such as DNA analysis has led to a quicker identification of offenders and that “Larimer County’s just done an outstanding job of being able to move forward.”
Alderden said technology has “really made the difference in some of our cold cases – particularly the DNA.”
“Unfortunately, we’ve looked at a couple other cold cases we would have solved had it not been for the fact the evidence was destroyed,” he added.
Charles Leroy Anderson gave several accounts of what happened the night of Feb. 21, 1973, when his wife of nine days, Carmina “Nina” Anderson, was shot in the head. He was found responsible for her death 30 years later.
“Probably the most important factor for our success rate has just been effort. Determination,” Alderden said, adding that thousands of hours have been dedicated to such cases. “Investigators cancel their vacations.” Alderden said he feels “very fortunate” with the results of homicide investigations.
“I just know how important it is to the families,” he said.
More than 20 people will often work on homicides, as well as others who work security to preserve crime scenes for several days, among other tasks.
Weld County Sheriff John Cooke said his agency has had a similar record, solving “just about all” murders as well as a 33-year-old cold case.
“It wouldn’t surprise me very soon if we wouldn’t be able to solve another one,” said Cooke, adding that tracking cell phones and investigating computers are helpful.
Cooke said Alderden, whose term is nearing its end, has made an impact with agencies across Colorado as well as in the state Legislature, where his support of concealed weapons made a difference.
“It’s been a real pleasure to work with him. He’s going to be missed, not just in Larimer but I think statewide,” he said. “He’s a very progressive and straightforward kind of guy.”
