WEEK OF SEPTEMBER 5, 2024
VOLUME 20 | ISSUE 10
FREE
After multiple Arvadans soak up summer fun at Arvada Days Festival officer murders in
recent years, APD creates Arvada Police Foundation BY RYLEE DUNN RDUNN@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM
Rocky Mountain Mini Train offered rides around Clear Creek Valley Park to young Arvada Days attendees. BY LILLIAN FUGLEI SPECIAL TO THE ARVADA PRESS
As fall draws closer, with children returning to school and an autumn chill just around the corner, Arvada isn’t missing any opportunities for the last bits of summer fun. On Aug. 24, Arvadans gathered in Clear Creek Valley Park for Arvada Days — a family centered festival with fun for everyone. The park was filled with train rides, inflatables and a Nerf Zone for younger attendees, with local businesses and food trucks for
older attendees to enjoy. From the park’s amphitheater, the music of local folk singer Sarah Adams filtered through the crowd. For attendees over 21, there was a beer garden — with all proceeds benefiting Ralston House. “Every pint you enjoyed at the Arvada Days Beer Garden helps pour hope into the lives of children in need, supporting vital programs to stop child abuse at Ralston House,” said Ralston House Development Officer Jennifer Kemps. “At Ralston House we provide a safe space for our most vulnerable to tell their story of abuse and
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start the healing towards building a brighter future.” With the park packed full of entertainment, there was fun to be found for everyone at Arvada Days. “Arvada Days is always a great, family-friendly way to bid farewell to summer, and this year we were fortunate to have some great weather for the event,” said Arvada’s Public Arts and Events Manager Adelle Burton. “We appreciate all of our dedicated volunteers who made the Arvada Days festival — and all our festivals throughout the year — possible.”
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After the murder of two Arvada Police Officers in the line of duty in recent years, the department has created the Arvada Police Foundation, which aims to provide support for APD staff and build relationships with community members. The foundation will also begin the process of planning a public memorial to Arvada’s fallen officers, which is intended to be located near APD headquarters at city hall. Arvada has lost four officers in the line of duty; Officer Robert Beghtol drowned during a department scuba training session in 1961, Officer W. Michael Northey was struck and killed by a drunk motorist during a traffic stop in 1979, Officer Gordon Beesley was murdered by a would-be mass shooter in 2021 and Officer Dillon Vakoff was killed while responding to a custody dispute in 2022. SEE OFFICERS, P2
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