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Berthoud man was shot and killed by a SWAT unit after deputies say he opened fire on them Monday night.
It’s a policeman’s worst nightmare, being called to a scene of domestic violence and finding someone with a weapon. Monday night around 9 p.m. Berthoud police responded to a call at 730 Bruce Drive. No details are available, but the man at that address was armed and the local police called for backup. The Larimer County Sheriff’s SWAT team arrived at approximately 11 p.m. and surrounded the house. They entered the back yard by coming in from Franklin Avenue. Negotiators with the SWAT team were talking to the man when he exited the residence shortly after 1 a.m. He then fired at the Sheriff’s deputies. A neighbor said he heard two shots followed by several more. Officers had returned fire, striking the suspect. The suspect was transported to the Medical Center of the Rockies where he was pronounced dead.
According to the press release from the District Attorney’s office, no officers were injured in the altercation. The incident is being investigated by members of the Berthoud Police Department, Larimer County Sheriff’s Office, Colorado State University Police Department and the District Attorney’s Office. The name of the deceased will be released by the Larimer County Coroner’s Office later to day pending notification of family.
To the family,
I walk my dog every day by your house. Your husband,you and your children have alway been nothing but lovely. I truly understand your pain,been there.My prayers and my heart go out to you and your children.
Sincerely
Your neighbor who's heart is breaking for you.
to ben family,i'm so sorry for your loss,BEN YOU WILL BE MISSED,YOU WERE A GREAT AMERICAN,YOU LIVED LIFE THE WAY MOST OF US ONLY DREAM TO,YOU WERE A GREAT FRIEND,RIP
This was one of our own here in berthoud people like Ben are hard to find he was what the rest of us should be a real American.. he worked hard minded his own business like we all should. and lost his life because of domestic violence?..We can't have a good old argument with in our family's with out the law,,when is enough ,enough .the sad thing is If Bill Wagner was still police chief Ben would still be alive today,,,,What has berthoud become when the code enforcement guy wears a gun? I have lived here for over 20 years and this is not acceptable…there are 2 murders in berthoud history and the police committed 1 of them very sad times indeed….
To Bens family. He was a wonderful man who will be missed. He was a devoted American, and a devoted Family man. He worked hard, and loved his family. Ben will be missed greatly!
We can't believe this has happened. My daughter and I knew and loved Ben. He was a great guy.
Our hearts goes out to his family. RIP Ben.
We will miss you Ben. We know you were a proud American and stood up (where many would not) for what you believe. We pray our father will help your family with this terrible time.
this is what happens when the police think they have the power of homeland security and will not treat the people like people
to my knowledge…this guy never bothered a sole…he was always kind & polite & yes a bit different, but that's no ones business…this d/v thing has gotten way out of control in our state, you can't sneeeze or settle a family dispute w/o the fear of d/v charges being brought against you…it's pure nonsense & yes if cheif wegener was still cheif, my thought is… maybe?????? this man would still be alive… this guys big crime in life was he drove a primer truck all flagged up, his way… he was the first to toot his horn & wave in a friendly manner when he drove by & yes if he made a mistake…IE: he interrupted me & THE CHECKER… in the checkout line @ hays a couple weeks ago…HOWEVER…HE WAS A MAN & YES APOLOGISED IN A SINCERE & FRIENDLY MANNER…i wouldnt think he's in any place other than heaven…GOD BLESS HIM…the d/v laws in this state & especially larimer county are in real need of review!!! we all still have rights as homeowners & too much goverment is not the answer… thanks for listening…
joe coons …area resident since 1985…
Ben will be missed.He was a pleasure to serve him and his family.My heart goes out to his family.I can"t help but wonder if law enforcement should have used other less deadly tactics.When a wild creature is caught and cornered in town it"s my belief that"s it gets shot with a dart rendering the threat harmless.I guess it"s different for a father of four with some domestic challenges.The impact of this event will not help the image of law enforcement,the town of Berthoud or the people of our town.
I would just like to say congratulations to the to all of the law enforcement agencies involved. Especially the Berthoud Police. You have Finally instilled the fact that you can and will do what ever you want to the people in our community without regret nor repremand. I hope that you realize that there are so many people in our community now who are afraid to look to you for help. Although a bit different, Ben was an honest man who worked hard and kept to himself. My prayers go out to his family and his mostly his children. I hope you will always be proud of your father as he was a good man! nameless… for fear of getting shot!
I do not believe in speaking ill of the deceased, but I think too many people are making statements on a situation where they do not know the whole story. The police did their job and I am thankful for their continued protection.
You are right. We do not know the whole story. Those that live in the neighborhood know what we heard. We heard two shots and then five rapid shots in a row. Those are the ones that struck Ben and killed him. He died in his backyard. We did not hear any ambulance sirens come in to take him to the hospital. He was probably dead right then and there. It still makes no sense. Tell this to his 4 children.
with regard to my prior comment today… as w/any crime…you are not gulity of D/V UNTIL YOU HAVE HAD YOUR DAY IN COURT…it's sad this man will not have his chance to defend himself in that manner…i fully agree w/CR MONTANTANO'S views on here @ 9:33 a/m today…REMEMBER, AS AMERICANS WE ARE INNOCENT UNTIL PROVEN GUILTY IN A COURT OF LAW!!! also to the family…my heartfelt condolences…
Yes, he will not ever "have his day in court" because of decisions HE made, everyone knows the result of firing at police officers, I'm sure you have heard of the term suicide by police. The police department has the enormous task of protecting all the citizens of this town and I truly feel they were protecting me and my family. Once again, you DO NOT KNOW THE WHOLE STORY and are being too quick to judge. Things are not always as they appear. I have nothing but compassion and empathy for his family and my heart aches for their loss.
Ben was a good man. Do not judge a book by the cover. He will not get to tell his side of the story because the police chose to shoot him multiple times. Was it necessary to shoot five times? These officers are trained individuals and I wonder why they can not shoot to wound and over power the person? They all had alot of protective gear on-Ben did not. He did not deserve to die. He loved his children. He was a good father. Once again the police have shown how powerful they can and will be. This all makes no sense.
I am not judging a book by it's cover, I actually knew Ben and his family quite well. And his family does not deserve to have this issue discussed online so I will not be continuing this discussion. My point was only to say that there are two sides to this story and people are being too quick to judge without knowing all the details.
Ive met Ben a couple times, and I really dont know him very well at all. I use to have a relationship with Deb that worked at Log Cabin, Ive seen him in there, and she always let me know, he was NEVER a threat to her or the customers. The times Ive talked with him, he came off to me as a good man, odd a lil but, not like the media is making out to be! I came across this police report in Berthoud, this is a copy and paste from the Berthoud paper on Oct. 25th Tuesday, October 25
A 911 call took police to the 400 block of West County Road 10E at 10:30 a.m. There the officer found a man and a woman who had apparently had too much to drink and were having an argument. Being intoxicated in your home is not a crime, but the officer convinced the couple to go to bed before they did something that would qualify as a crime.
Im not saying he was drinking, from what Ive been told he really does not. If anyone should stereo type him, it should be a true blooded American that believes in his rights to be an American!
i did not post my comments to spark debate…i just think THE ENTIRE situation possibly could have been handled in a better way…YES…to preserve life… i have utmost respect for all law enforcement & yes other public servants…HOWEVER THE D/V LAWS IN MY OPINION NEED TO SERIOUSLY BE…REVISITED/REVIEWED & YES PROBABLY…REVISED…that's just one mans opinion & i full & well realize that…SO FROM ME… ENOUGH SAID ON THIS UNFORTUNATE ISSUE…now is a time for hopeful healing for his family & the hope he…(BEN)… is in a better place for eternal life!!!
One word comes to mind…evil. How does a man get shot to death, in his own backyard, when neighbors have been evacuated, and no one else is home. Why couldn't the police leave him alone? To be perfectly clear, Ben wasn't on the side of evil. Every member of that SWAT team should be required to contribute to a fund to take care of Ben's family.
Look I don't like the police attitudes either in this town. Now with that being said. This guy "Ben" shot at them… He was threat…. Maybe after shooting at the SWAT team he should have said "just kidding, made ya flinch"
I mean no disrespect and I truly feel sorry for the family.
Final word and an FYI-no one in the neighborhood was evacuated. We all woke up in the morning wondering what had happened. Those of us that were home were interviewed by an individual from the sheriff's department asking us if we had heard anything or knew anything about the family. Funny isn't it that we heard no sirens that night. Rest in peace Ben. Your reward will come to you and your children and wife will be all right because you will be watching over them because that was who you were.
enough is enough!!!!!! we all need to let this man now… rest in peace…doubt he'd want us bitching @ one another…this is now… a good reason in his memory for people in this town to pull together & help & be friendly to one another…
like he was to us…im about certain/confident that if there was true wrong doing… the responsible people will be dealt with & yes…within the perameters of the law!!!
How were police supposed to handle a situation differently when someone was firing a weapon at them? I am sad to see a fellow Berthoudite die, but the circumstances were in HIS control, this was not some horrible miscarriage of justice in my view.
The Police Never Lie.
I don't know Ben, but I know justice, and feel the deceased would rather have some clarity involving his death for his children and wife. I know I would not rest in peace until I saw truth happen regarding the nature of my death. The more questions people ask, the less likely this is to reoccur. I am sure his wife wants to know the truth. I don't live in Berthoud anymore, but I will contribute a donation, if anyone local wants to start up a fund for Ben's family. BTW..Mckee Medical Center is WAY closer, then the hospital way out on east harmony in Fort Collins WTF….