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Incident
Police Officer Dillon Vakoff was shot and killed while responding to a domestic disturbance in the 6700 block of W. 51st Avenue at about 1:40 am.
He and another officer were attempting to break up a fight between the family members when one of the involved men opened fire, wounding a woman who was also involved in the disturbance. The subject then exchanged shots with Officer Vakoff and the other officer. Officer Vakoff was mortally wounded before the subject was also shot.
Officer Vakoff was transported to Lutheran Hospital where he succumbed to his wounds.
The subject was convicted of first-degree murder of a peace officer and sentenced to life in prison without parole.
Officer Vakoff was a U.S. Air Force veteran and had served with the Arvada Police Department for three years.
Survivors
He is survived by his mother and girlfriend.
In Our Keeping
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- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
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Also honored at salute.nw — U.S. Air Force. One record, 2 gates. Dillon is one person.
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Tributes
I served 1985 to 1993. You served too, before the badge - different uniform, same idea. You go where you are sent and you do not get to pick the call.
Police Officer Vakoff gave the Arvada Police Department 3 years.
Thank you for your service to the Arvada community. Thank you for your service before it. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, brother.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Military Service
Dillon Micheal Vakoff served in the U.S. Air Force (2013â2019) before joining law enforcement.
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Arvada Police Department has lost 4 officers; 2 of them killed feloniously.
Dillon is one of 236 officers killed feloniously in CO, 65.4% of the 361 remembered there.
Dillon is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,552 remembered there.
Dillon is one of 17,623 officers killed feloniously worldwide, 51.7% of the 34,103 remembered here.
34,103 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 2022, 2 officers in CO were killed feloniously, the 33rd heaviest of 113 years on record. The heaviest was 1929, with 9.
In 2022, 79 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 86th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 2022, 84 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 81st heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Dillon was 27. Of the 184 killed feloniously in CO whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 47; the middle age was 39. Dillon had served 3 years; the middle length of service was 4 years.
Dillon was 27. Of the 14,219 killed feloniously in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 47; the middle age was 38. Dillon had served 3 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Dillon was 27. Of the 15,853 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Dillon had served 3 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
September holds 9.3% of these deaths in CO; October holds the most, 11.9%. Sundays: 12.3%.
September holds 9.1% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Sundays: 15.2%.
September holds 8.8% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Sundays: 15.2%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 50% of all 4 deaths at Arvada Police Department, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun; unknown type, in 50% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 65.4% of all 361 deaths in CO, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun; unknown type, in 8.5% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 57.1% of all 27,552 deaths in the United States, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun; unknown type, in 9.5% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,103 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun; unknown type, in 8.5% of these deaths.
His people
Arvada Police Department has 4 officers remembered here, Dillon among them.
Where
Military Service
Dillon Micheal Vakoff served in the U.S. Air Force (2013–2019) before joining law enforcement.
Visit Dillon Micheal Vakoff’s page on salute.nw →
His full service record — units, decorations, where he served — is kept on salute.nw.
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 47-E
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Also Remembered
Others Who Wore This Badge
3 officers from Arvada Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
