Chronicle Parker
PARKER 3.1.13
Douglas County, Colorado • Volume 11, Issue 18
EMBRACING SUCCESS
March 1, 2013
A Colorado Community Media Publication
ourparkernews.com
Suspect accused of firing at police Man faces seven counts of trying to kill officers By Chris Michlewicz
cmichlewicz@ourcoloradonews.com
Sandy Gabel reaches out to give her son Dylan Gabel, a Ponderosa junior, a congratulatory hug Feb. 23 after he won first place in the 5A 170-pound weight class at the Colorado Wrestling State Championships at the Pepsi Center in Denver. Find more coverage on Page 21. Photo by Courtney Kuhlen
Local seniors help feed homeless Parker Assisted Living packs lunches, supplies By Chris Michlewicz
cmichlewicz@ourcoloradonews.com Sometimes a little teamwork goes a long way. The adage is proven true on a regular basis at Parker Assisted Living by Morningstar, a retirement community that opened in September on the southeast corner of Mainstreet and Dransfeldt Road. Once a month, 10 to 12 seniors gather in the dining area to assemble bagged lunches for those living on the streets of Denver. Janel Berilgen, executive chef for Parker Assisted Living and creator of the program, is among the staff members who break out the goodies needed to get the project done. She starts each table with bowls of jelly, jars of peanut butter and plenty of bread. Pretty soon, stacks of PBJs begin to form, as the residents and visitors busily chatter away. Among them is Chuck Reid, a spry 80-year-old who keeps things entertaining through witticisms and jokes. He sits across from Lois Verkler, 87, who has done her fair share of volunteer work throughout her life and shows no signs of stopping. Her daughter frequently brings her to Parker Assisted Living to join in the many activities. It was Berilgen’s mother who got the ball rolling on the homeless project five years ago. Instead of exchanging gifts for Christmas, they decided to hand out homemade burritos to homeless citizens on Colfax Avenue and in the area of the Capitol building. Berilgen then brought the idea to a retirement home near Boulder, where she was an employee. “It gives them a sense of purpose, and them helping the community back, and is one of their favorite things to do,” she said. Food is not the only necessity included in the bags. The volunteers also pack in toothpaste, toothbrushes, bottled water, and sometimes, hats, gloves, headbands, crocheted
Parker Assisted Living by Morningstar residents Norma Telotta, left, and Harriet Faestel put together peanut butter and jelly sandwiches Feb. 25. A dozen seniors assembled lunch sacks filled with food and toiletries that will be delivered to the homeless. Photo by Chris Michlewicz
‘It gives them a sense of purpose, and them helping the community back, and is one of their favorite things to do.’ Janel Berilgen, executive chef, Parker Assisted Living blankets and coats. Many of the items are donated; Parker Assisted Living partnered with Pepsi and Kraft to help bolster the food supplies. Berilgen forgoes the traditional route of partnering with a homeless shelter in favor of a more personal approach. “We do it on our own,” she says. “We go out to the streets and pass them out.” The philanthropists have gained a grate-
ful following in downtown Denver. They hit areas with large homeless populations, including three shelters near Park Avenue West, and the recipients have become familiar with the group and its regular stops. It all starts with a few caring hearts and some hard work on the seniors’ assembly line. “They really enjoy doing it,” Berilgen said.
A man accused of leading police on a chase from Castle Rock to Parker and firing multiple shots at pursuing officers has been charged with seven counts of attempted first-degree murder of an officer. Clifford “CJ” Galley, of Northglenn, also faces seven counts of first-degree assault on a peace officer and one count of felony menacing. Two other suspects were in the vehicle when officers from the Thornton and Northglenn police departments attempted to arrest Galley, 23, on a warrant for assault on a police officer with a weapon. Police say that just after midnight Feb. 23, Gal- Galley ley was located at the Taco Bell drive-thru on Plum Creek Parkway in Castle Rock. Galley allegedly rammed the patrol cars with his fullsize Dodge pickup truck in an attempt to escape, causing injuries to both officers. Investigators say Galley then exchanged gunfire with the officers and led Castle Rock police on a chase toward Parker on Crowfoot Valley Road. Authorities made an attempt to stop the suspects with spike strips at the intersection of Pradera Parkway and Crowfoot Valley Road, but Galley drove around them and again fired his weapon at police, said Doreen Jokerst, public information officer for the Parker Police Department. Galley also continued to shoot at pursuing vehicles while driving north through a rural area, and Parker police were waiting with another set of spike strips on Crowfoot Valley at Stroh Road, where housing becomes more dense. However, Galley swerved to avoid the strips and drove straight toward Parker officers, three of whom fired their service weapons, Jokerst said. Those three officers, along with the Northglenn and Thornton officers, have been placed on paid administrative leave. Their names are not being released. One of the suspects, Gwendolyn Devilbiss, 19, sustained a gunshot wound, but it is unclear who fired the shot that struck her. The occupants of the vehicle dumped the truck near Jordan Road and Clarke Farms Drive and fled on foot. Roughly 3,000 residents in the area of Jordan Road and Mainstreet received reverse 911 calls around 1 a.m. Feb. 23 urging them to stay inside. A helicopter hovered over the area and shined a spotlight through yards. Douglas County SWAT members with highpowered weapons joined in the search, which ended hours later with the arrests of Galley, Devilbiss and David Vasquez, 24, of Federal Heights. Galley continues on Page 10
Printed on recycled newsprint. Please recycle this copy.