DPD dedicates a sobriety checkpoint to Sgt. Bob Wilson, who was killed by a DUI driver in 2005. (August 28, 2009)
DENVER, Colo. -
We've seen streets, parks and buildings dedicated in people's memories. But on Friday night, for the first time, Denver police and the Colorado department of transportation remembered an officer killed by a drunk driver nearly four years ago.
They honored Officer Bob Wilson by dedicating a sobriety checkpoint after him. They stopped drivers and besides checking to see if they'd been drinking, they reminded them why they shouldn't drink.
"You never think something like this could happen to your family, until one day it happens," says Frieda Wilson, bob's wife, at a Denver Police press conference outside Denver District 4.
Her husband died 6 months after a drunk driver turned in front of Wilson's motorcycle on the night before Christmas Eve 2005.
"He hit the side of the truck, fell straight to the ground, the driver took off, and ran over his motorcycle," says Officer Tom Bogart. He and Officer Joe Velázquez were there that night.
"It was Christmas Eve eve. He didn't have to work. He had enough seniority. He had the day off but he came in to work to help us out," says Velázquez.
Wilson was headed home from his shift when he stopped to help Bogart whose motorcycle ran out of gas. He gave him a ride to the gas station. Then, Velázquez took Bogart from there. They were riding behind Wilson when the accident happened.
They say they'll never run out of good things to say about the well-respected, 10-year veteran.
"Bob was the epitome of police officer. He could handle any situation. He's the guy you wanted with you whenever bad things happen," says Bogart.
"He was already known. He was car 412. He was the mentor. He'd been through so much. Done every kind of call there is. He'd done it all. Knew everyone on his beat," says Velázquez.
Joseph Santillanes got 10 years in prison for Wilson's death. But Wilson's family is serving life without their husband and father.
All because of a choice this group hopes no one else makes.
"If there is any message I hope stays with you today. Think carefully before you get behind the wheel if you've had too much alcohol to drink," says Wilson.
Over the past four years, Denver police have doubled its DUI enforcement efforts with more street patrols, more saturation patrols and advertising checkpoints.
DPD also promoted Officer Wilson to sergeant after he passed away.
Besides serving the city of Denver 10 years, Wilson served our country in operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm in Iraq.
They honored Officer Bob Wilson by dedicating a sobriety checkpoint after him. They stopped drivers and besides checking to see if they'd been drinking, they reminded them why they shouldn't drink.
"You never think something like this could happen to your family, until one day it happens," says Frieda Wilson, bob's wife, at a Denver Police press conference outside Denver District 4.
Her husband died 6 months after a drunk driver turned in front of Wilson's motorcycle on the night before Christmas Eve 2005.
"He hit the side of the truck, fell straight to the ground, the driver took off, and ran over his motorcycle," says Officer Tom Bogart. He and Officer Joe Velázquez were there that night.
"It was Christmas Eve eve. He didn't have to work. He had enough seniority. He had the day off but he came in to work to help us out," says Velázquez.
Wilson was headed home from his shift when he stopped to help Bogart whose motorcycle ran out of gas. He gave him a ride to the gas station. Then, Velázquez took Bogart from there. They were riding behind Wilson when the accident happened.
They say they'll never run out of good things to say about the well-respected, 10-year veteran.
"Bob was the epitome of police officer. He could handle any situation. He's the guy you wanted with you whenever bad things happen," says Bogart.
"He was already known. He was car 412. He was the mentor. He'd been through so much. Done every kind of call there is. He'd done it all. Knew everyone on his beat," says Velázquez.
Joseph Santillanes got 10 years in prison for Wilson's death. But Wilson's family is serving life without their husband and father.
All because of a choice this group hopes no one else makes.
"If there is any message I hope stays with you today. Think carefully before you get behind the wheel if you've had too much alcohol to drink," says Wilson.
Over the past four years, Denver police have doubled its DUI enforcement efforts with more street patrols, more saturation patrols and advertising checkpoints.
DPD also promoted Officer Wilson to sergeant after he passed away.
Besides serving the city of Denver 10 years, Wilson served our country in operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm in Iraq.
