Ground broken on Arvada Police Honor Garden memorial for fallen officers
News story and photo courtesy of Rylee Dunn, Arvada Press
After losing two policemen in the line of duty in recent years, the Arvada Police Foundation is working to honor its fallen officers by building the Arvada Police Honor Garden in Memorial Park.
Ground was broken on the garden on April 24 — which is expected to be completed next spring, ideally in time for Peace Officers Memorial Day on May 15, 2026 — at a ceremony that included Arvada Police Chief Ed Brady giving remarks alongside family members of officers who have passed away.
In total, four Arvada Police Officers have lost their lives while serving their community. Officer Robert G. Beghtol died in a scuba training accident in 1961, Oficer W. Michael Northey was struck and killed by a passing car during a traffic stop in 1979, Officer Gordon Beesley was killed by a gunman during the 2021 Olde Town Arvada shooting and Officer Dillon Vakoff was killed in 2022 while mediating a custody dispute.
The Honor Garden is located at Memorial Park, 8001 W. 59th Ave., just down the road from APD headquarters. The project was made possible by the Arvada Police Foundation, which was formed last year.
“Great communities do not forget those who gave their lives in service,” Brady said. “Across our country, in places like Washington, D.C., monuments stand in quiet reverence to those who never came home. And right now, here in Arvada, we will have a place of our own, an honor garden that will stand as a lasting tribute to our fallen heroes.
“The Police Honor Garden will remind future generations of the cost of safety, the price of service and the courage of those who answered the call,” Brady continued. “But even more so, the honor garden will be a place of hope, a place to draw strength, a place where families can remember and honor the truly heroic life of their loved ones.”
The Honor Garden will include a “Path of Heroes” featuring plaques memorializing each of the four fallen officers, a “Circle of Honor” at the center of the garden and a statue titled “Generations of Service” depicting an officer in an old APD uniform alongside a modern-day officer presenting a junior officer badge to a young girl on a bench.
There is intentional space left next to each of the figures on the bench so that folks can sit alongside them.
Arvada Mayor Lauren Simpson said she hopes the Honor Garden can keep the stories of the city’s fallen officers alive.
“This is a story of sons, of fathers, of brothers, of friends; it’s a story of people who gave their lives to protect this community and the people in it,” Simpson said. “I am eternally grateful to these men behind me who have given it all for others.
“This is a place where their story can be told,” Simpson continued. “Where their connection could be felt throughout all of time, where future generations can come and reflect upon the sacrifices made for them so that they could grow up in a safe, healthy, happy community for Arvada.”
Lisa Vakoff, the mother of fallen officer Dillon Vakoff, said she was glad that her son’s actions can be memorialized for years to come.
“Dillon touched more lives than I can conceive and impacted so many in such a positive and inspiring way,” Vakoff said. “He definitely made his mark on the world, not only in life, but in death as well… (being a police officer) was his calling and that it was his pleasure and honor to serve his community he so loved.”
Karen Goubleman, Gordon Beesley’s wife, said she hopes that the Honor Garden teaches the next generation to follow Beesley’s example of treating everyone equitably.
“Our family’s life is completely different without Gordon, but I truly hope that some good can come from his death,” Goubleman said. “I hope that he can be an example for others, especially young people, to be kind, caring and empathetic to everyone around us.”
A representative for the Arvada Police Foundation said that the organization is still seeking donations to make its budget for the Honor Garden. About $120,000 has already been donated towards the total cost of $500,000.
Donations can be made by emailing friendsoffoundation@arvadapolicefoundation.org or visiting arvadapolicefoundation.org.
