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Trooper wounded in I-70 shootout in critical condition; suspect shot dead ID'd as convicted killer
Denver Channel ^ | May 8, 2014 | John Ferrugia

Posted on 05/08/2014 6:00:02 PM PDT by george76

DOTSERO, Colo. - A state trooper was rushed to the hospital after he was shot while helping a driver who was stopped on the side of Interstate 70 near Dotsero.

The Colorado State Patrol identified the trooper as Eugene Hofacker, a 6-year veteran, who is listed in critical but stable condition at Valley View Hospital in Glenwood Springs. Hofacker is assigned to the Vail Troop Office.

Garfield County Sheriff Lou Vallario said the trooper was shot as he approached the driver-side window of the suspect's car. A second trooper returned fire and killed the suspect.

...

the dead man is Thomas Ornelas, 41, who has a long criminal history that dates back to a murder he committed as a teenager. His history also includes several parole violations, repeated violations of a protection order, resisting arrest and attempted murder.

Ornelas has six other aliases listed on his record with the Colorado Bureau of Investigation. One of the aliases includes the first name, "Sick."

He was awaiting trial on attempted murder and other charges in Mesa County in September.

Ornelas' criminal record begins in 1991, when he was still 17. The CBI record shows the teenager was convicted as an adult of homicide and sent to the Territorial Correctional Facility in Canon City.

(Excerpt) Read more at thedenverchannel.com ...


TOPICS: Crime/Corruption; Mexico; News/Current Events; US: Colorado
KEYWORDS: attemptedmurder; convictedkiller; criminal; homicide; killer; murder; murderer
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To: Gay State Conservative; Balding_Eagle; Right Brother

That was really disjointed and evasive.

None of that had zip to do with what the man said in #9


41 posted on 05/08/2014 9:20:43 PM PDT by dragnet2 (Diversion and evasion are tools of deceit)
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To: Gay State Conservative

Most stories I see here are cops acting retarded. This case they were doing something normal and they reacted properly.

I hope the trooper makes a full recovery.


42 posted on 05/08/2014 9:21:25 PM PDT by Bulwyf
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To: ForYourChildren

He is still alive according to the article. Critical but stable condition.


43 posted on 05/08/2014 9:22:43 PM PDT by Bulwyf
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To: Gay State Conservative

I learned long ago, be very aware and very suspect of wordy answers and responses to very basic questions and comments.

What you did or how much blood saw working in some hospital doesn’t mean zip, and has nothing to do with what happens down on the ground or in the streets.


44 posted on 05/08/2014 9:24:30 PM PDT by dragnet2 (Diversion and evasion are tools of deceit)
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To: Gay State Conservative

“And I’m equally convinced that the many Freepers who believe that it’s SOP for cops to murder dogs...and people...just for thrills are full of bleep”

What a refreshing change from the “jackbooted thugs” comments and jokes They are so tiring.

(Go Bruins!!!!!!!!!!):-)

.


45 posted on 05/08/2014 9:30:19 PM PDT by Mears
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To: Bulwyf

Yes. I pray that his recovery will be so rapid the physicians will be shocked.

From the photo the trooper appeared to be a young man, with much left to live for. He may yet make all the difference for some who cross paths with him in the future.

May God guide the man, holding him closely and reassuring him for the rest of his life (here on earth).

We were put here for a reason --- for many. Life is not a cosmic accident.

46 posted on 05/08/2014 9:37:05 PM PDT by BlueDragon
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To: BlueDragon

You’re absolutely right, God has a plan for each and every one of us, it’s up to us if we listen, and even if we don’t, he has ways of putting us back on track.


47 posted on 05/08/2014 9:50:24 PM PDT by Bulwyf
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To: Leaning Right
Why not bring it back?

Police unions would have not part of that.

48 posted on 05/09/2014 12:16:54 AM PDT by Half Vast Conspiracy (The bill was the subject of a truly awe-inspiring tsunami of poorly informed indignation. Rich Lowry)
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To: OldPossum

. The police today are not the LEOs that I grew up with and once admired.
= = = = = = = = = = = = = = =
True BUT the cops we grew up with in the 50/60/70’s were, for the most part VETS.

I think our troubles began - in many ways - when it was deemed ‘we’ weren’t allowed to stop people from stealing our property.
Then the standards had to be ‘lowered’ to accommodate females and the 95 pound weaklings - who were widely recruited because ‘they’ started making college course etc mandatory.

Then as the Civilians started taking control of PD’s the Chiefs weren’t coming up the ranks, they were going outside the Departments, which cause further problems.

Then the advent of SWAT teams and tactical units just kept piling on.

Back in ‘our’ day you never would have heard of 50 cops - armed to the teeth - with all sort of specialty vehicles - standing outside a school waiting orders to enter...

Right, Wrong or Indifferent, COPS in ‘our’ day would have stormed the building. Because they were Ex Military and that was their training PLUS they had real life experience from their Military Service.


49 posted on 05/09/2014 1:07:55 AM PDT by xrmusn ((6/98)"Light travels faster than sound. This is why some people appear bright until they speak.".)
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To: xrmusn

Sorry, back then we also didn’t have Unions to contend with.


50 posted on 05/09/2014 1:10:38 AM PDT by xrmusn ((6/98)"Light travels faster than sound. This is why some people appear bright until they speak.".)
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To: xrmusn
True BUT the cops we grew up with in the 50/60/70’s were, for the most part VETS.

Not where I grew up. They were not vets but they were also members of the community and acted like it. Today they act like members of an elite force and are trained that way.

51 posted on 05/09/2014 2:33:47 AM PDT by raybbr (Obamacare needs a death panel.)
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To: xrmusn

Your point about the cops in the 50s/60s/70s being vets is a good one.


52 posted on 05/09/2014 2:50:22 AM PDT by OldPossum ("It's" is the contraction of "it" and "is"; think about ITS implications.)
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To: Half Vast Conspiracy
Police unions would have not part of that.

I didn't consider the unions. But I'm sure you're right.

53 posted on 05/09/2014 8:03:28 AM PDT by Leaning Right (Why am I holding this lantern? I am looking for the next Reagan.)
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To: Bulwyf

I hate to see anyone die without knowing Jesus but as the Southern saying goes “some people just need killing”


54 posted on 05/09/2014 9:23:44 AM PDT by bjorn14 (Woe to those who call good evil and evil good. Isaiah 5:20)
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To: Right Brother; All
I think a lot of Freepers, including myself, were once staunch defenders of the police. But that was some time ago when police behaved considerably better. If you don't think that many police are currently acting in a more belligerent and militaristic fashion, then you are not paying attention. Freepers don't 'hate' police. They hate jackbboots and power trip gestapo techniques that are increasingly being employed.

My candidate for post of the day.

55 posted on 05/09/2014 2:08:10 PM PDT by jimt (Fear is the darkroom where negatives are developed.)
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