Attorney General John Suthers is honoring an Arvada Police Department sergeant who has become an international expert in shooting situations.
Sgt. A.J. DeAndrea, a 21-year veteran of the department, received the attorney general’s 2014 Excellence in Law Enforcement Award for exemplary service, Suthers’ office announced.
“The overall quality of service Sgt. DeAndrea has demonstrated during his years of service are nothing short of remarkable, and that is why he is the clear choice to receive this year’s award,” Suthers said in a prepared statement.
DeAndrea served as a unit leader in response to the Columbine High School shooting in 1999, locating and removing students and staff while searching for the gunmen. He also was a team leader in the Granby bulldozer rampage in 2004 and helped rescue hostages in the Platte Canyon High School shooting in 2006, the announcement said.
His other efforts that won acclaim included rescuing a fellow police officer in another shooting incident and evacuating students in the Youth With A Mission shooting in 2007.
Arvada Fire Protection District Deputy Chief Mike Piper nominated DeAndrea, who helped develop a collaborative response to active shooter situations with fire and emergency service providers. DeAndrea is considered an expert in this field and speaks on the topic at international conferences.
A panel of law enforcement leaders helped select the finalists for the award, and Suthers, the outgoing Republican attorney general, picked the winner. He presented the award Friday in Arvada.
John Frank: 303-954-2409, jfrank@denverpost.com or twitter.com/ByJohnFrank
