Disability advocate honored among fallen Denver police officers at memorial ceremony
A new name was etched into stone Thursday at the Denver Police Memorial, honoring officers who died in the line of duty.
In this Dec. 29, 1985, photo, Dale Coski, a policewoman who was injured in auto accident, is pictured with her dog Persey, short for perseverance. (Photo by Susan Biddle/The Denver Post)
Dale Coski was working as a Denver police officer in 1983 when she was hit by a car while assisting a stalled vehicle on Interstate 70. She died on Sept. 26, 2024, at 67.
“She was a hero and a true pioneer for our community,” Denver Police Chief Ron Thomas said during the Thursday morning ceremony. “Not only in her role as a Denver police officer, but in the way she went on to strongly advocate for people with disabilities throughout her remaining years.”
Coski’s life was cut short by the injuries she received in the crash, Thomas said.
State and federal flags flapped in the wind at half-staff behind Thomas during his speech. Colorado Gov. Jared Polis ordered all flags to be lowered on Thursday in honor of Peace Officer Memorial Day.
Thomas said each name carved into the memorial represents “a true hero.”
“We all know the risks of this job and these heroes took their oaths regardless,” he said.
Coski was the 78th name added to Denver’s memorial. All 78 names were read aloud before Thursday’s ceremony continued with a white dove release, a bagpipe rendition of “Amazing Grace” by former Denver police Sgt. Scott Hughes, a 21-gun salute, taps and a flyover.
Police officials also recognized former Denver officer Andrew William Duarte, who was shot and killed in February while responding to an active shooting at a Pennsylvania hospital.
Before he transferred to Pennsylvania’s West York Borough Police Department, Duarte worked for five years at the Denver Police Department and received a 2021 hero award from Mothers Against Drunk Driving for his DUI enforcement efforts in Colorado, Denver Lt. Kristy Garcia said.
Duarte’s name was not added to Denver’s memorial, but he was recognized as a fallen officer in Pennsylvania, Garcia said.
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