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Incident
Patrolman Michael Northey was struck and killed by a vehicle at the intersection of West 75th Avenue and Wadsworth Boulevard while making a traffic stop. He and his partner had just stopped two men on motorcycles and had arrested one of them for carrying a handgun. As Patrolman Northey stood next to his patrol car's open door preparing to get into the car another vehicle struck him. The vehicle carried Patrolman Northey approximately 47 feet where it struck the tow truck that was carrying the motorcycle. Patrolman Northey succumbed to his injuries two days later. The driver who struck him was charged with negligent homicide. Patrolman Northey had served with the Arvada Police Department for 18 months and had previously served with the Baltimore City, Maryland, Police Department.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and parents.
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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Tributes
You barely got started.
Patrolman Northey gave the Arvada Police Department 1 year.
Thank you for your service to the Arvada community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Patrolman Northey.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Accident
Arvada Police Department has lost 4 officers; 2 of them lost to accidents.
Walter is one of 101 officers lost to accidents in CO, 28% of the 361 remembered there.
Walter is one of 8,275 officers lost to accidents in the United States, 30% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Walter is one of 10,100 officers lost to accidents worldwide, 29.8% of the 33,917 remembered here.
33,917 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1979, 2 officers in CO were lost to accidents, the 9th heaviest of 66 years on record. The heaviest was 1934, with 4.
In 1979, 70 officers in the United States were lost to accidents, the 48th heaviest of 174 years on record. The heaviest was 1929, with 118.
In 1979, 88 officers worldwide were lost to accidents, the 41st heaviest of 200 years on record. The heaviest was 1930, with 131.
Who
Walter was 25. Of the 79 lost to accidents in CO whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 44; the middle age was 37. Walter had served 1.5 years; the middle length of service was 5 years.
Walter was 25. Of the 7,718 lost to accidents in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 46; the middle age was 36. Walter had served 1.5 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Walter was 25. Of the 9,451 lost to accidents worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 45; the middle age was 36. Walter had served 1.5 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
August holds 10.9% of these deaths in CO; July holds the most, 11.9%. Mondays: 16.8%.
August holds 9.5% of these deaths in the United States, more than any other month. Mondays: 13.4%.
August holds 9.3% of these deaths worldwide, more than any other month. Mondays: 13.5%.
How
Accident deaths account for 50% of all 4 deaths at Arvada Police Department, the most common cause.
Accident deaths account for 28% of all 361 deaths in CO, the 2nd most common cause.
Accident deaths account for 30% of all 27,551 deaths in the United States, the 2nd most common cause.
Accident deaths account for 29.8% of all 33,917 deaths worldwide, the 2nd most common cause.
His people
Arvada Police Department has 4 officers remembered here, Walter among them.
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 53-W
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
3 officers from Arvada Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
