On Sunday, September 11, 2022, the Arvada Police Department announced the death of their officer, Dillon Michael Vakoff, who was killed in the line of duty. According to an official statement released by the department, Officer Vakoff was responding to a "large family disturbance" when he was shot to death. Despite timely first aid, he was declared deceased at a local hospital.Arvada Police@ArvadaPoliceIt is with a heavy heart & deep sorrow that we inform you an Arvada Police Officer has been killed serving his community. The officer was responding to a call for service when he was killed. #ArvadaPDLODD677143It is with a heavy heart & deep sorrow that we inform you an Arvada Police Officer has been killed serving his community. The officer was responding to a call for service when he was killed. #ArvadaPDLODDIn a media advisory released early Sunday morning, Arvada PD confirmed that Dillon Michael Vakoff was fatally shot in an exchange of gunfire between an armed suspect and the responding officers in the 6700 block of W. 51st Avenue in Arvada, Colorado.Responding to a disturbance call, Vakoff and other Arvada police officers found themselves in the midst of complete chaos. According to the statement, officers tried to separate several "belligerent and uncooperative individuals" when one of them started shooting at the crowd.Arvada Police@ArvadaPoliceThe officer was responding to a disturbance in the 5700 block of W 51st Ave. when he was killed. There is an ongoing investigation into the incident and more information will be released as it becomes available. #APDPDLodd11220The officer was responding to a disturbance in the 5700 block of W 51st Ave. when he was killed. There is an ongoing investigation into the incident and more information will be released as it becomes available. #APDPDLoddApart from hitting Officer Dillon Michael Vakoff, a female victim was also hit by the suspect's bullets. Her involvement in the incident is still unknown. In the statement, the Arvada Police Department said:"Early this morning, officers responded to a large family disturbance in the 6700 block of W. 51st Ave. They arrived to a chaotic scene with multiple people in the street. The initial two officers tried to separate several belligerent and uncooperative individuals when the suspect began to fire and shot a female victim. An exchange of gunfire then occurred between officers and the suspect. The suspect fired, striking an Arvada Police Officer, killing him...The officer was transported to the hospital where he was declared deceased."Arvada Police@ArvadaPolice594138https://t.co/TZxaveefqSThe suspect, who also sustained injuries in the exchange of gunfire, was taken to a local hospital where he is expected to recover. Arvada Police assured the suspect was no longer a threat to the community."The suspect was also shot during the exchange of gunfire and was transported to a local hospital, where he remains in police custody; he is expected to survive."A criminal investigation is underway regarding Dillon Michael Vakoff's murder. No further details of the active investigation have been released.Dillon Michael Vakoff was a Staff Sergeant in the United States Air ForceColorado Springs Police Department@CSPDPIOWe share our deepest and heartfelt condolences with the @ArvadaPolice. The loss of Officer Dillon Michael Vakoff is felt by our entire community. Our thoughts are with Officer Vakoff’s family & the APD. Thank you, Officer Vakoff for your courage, service, and sacrifice. #EOW7013We share our deepest and heartfelt condolences with the @ArvadaPolice. The loss of Officer Dillon Michael Vakoff is felt by our entire community. Our thoughts are with Officer Vakoff’s family & the APD. Thank you, Officer Vakoff for your courage, service, and sacrifice. #EOW https://t.co/FDugj4G4FLDillon Michael Vakoff was training to become a SWAT Officer. His dreams, however, were cut short by his untimely and tragic death at 27.Vakoff, who graduated from Ralston Valley High School in 2012, spent six years as a part of the United States Air Force where he was a Staff Sergeant before joining the police force. He joined the Arvada Police Department in 2019.Brittany Pettersen@pettersen4coOur hearts go out to the family and friends of Arvada Police Officer Dillon Michael Vakoff who was shot and killed last night. A beloved member of our community, Vakoff was a graduate of Ralston Valley High School, served in the Air Force, and was training to be a SWAT officer.357Our hearts go out to the family and friends of Arvada Police Officer Dillon Michael Vakoff who was shot and killed last night. A beloved member of our community, Vakoff was a graduate of Ralston Valley High School, served in the Air Force, and was training to be a SWAT officer.The APD said in a press release:"Dillon is an example of everything good you would want in a police officer. He was training toward being a SWAT Officer, and without a doubt would have continued to have a positive impact on his community."An official donation site has been set up for Officer Dillon Michael Vakoff's family.