DENVER—Developer Christian Anschutz has been honored by the FBI for providing gunshot trauma kits for officers and cameras to help police document cases of domestic violence.
The FBI has given the Director’s Community Leadership award since 1990 to recognize individuals and organizations that make extraordinary contributions to crime and violence prevention and education.
“I must confess, I really don’t feel deserving of such recognition when there are so many other individuals working to protect the safety of the community,” Anschutz said.
Anschutz, 35, managing director of the privately held real estate development company, Western Development Group, serves on the Denver Police Foundation, which is modeled after the organization formed to support first responders in New York after 9/11, and the Colorado Emergency Preparedness Partnership, which works to deal with the aftermath of catastrophic events, and other groups.
Anschutz, son of billionaire Philip Anschutz, said he began his work to support law enforcement after the 9/11 attacks.
“Like so many Americans, I felt anger and that was quickly replaced by my efforts to help,” he said.
Davis said Anschutz, through his foundation, has been instrumental in financing the Denver FBI’s Citizens Academy that puts community leaders through an eight-week course in FBI investigative techniques.
James H. Davis, special agent in charge of the FBI regional office in Denver, presented the award to Anschutz in a ceremony attended by former Lt. Gov. Jane Norton, Denver Police Chief Gerry Whitman and other law enforcement dignitaries.
