BOULDER, Colo. – Four Boulder students were the first recipients of a scholarship created in honor of fallen Boulder Police Officer Eric Talley who was killed in the line of duty.

Shortly after the mass shooting on March 22, 2021, in which Officer Talley responded and was killed, a generous local donor made an anonymous gift in Officer Talley’s name to fund scholarship(s) for young people interested in pursuing an education and career in law enforcement. Four scholarships of $2,500 each have been awarded to four students who are also in the law enforcement cadet program.

The Boulder Police Foundation, an unaffiliated non-profit that works in support of the Boulder Police Department, worked with BPD and the Boulder County Sheriff’s Office to evaluate and award the scholarships based on applications from the students. This past week, students were notified of their receipt of the scholarships

“We can’t say enough about the tremendous support we get from the community we serve here in Boulder. Being able to provide funding assistance to young people who will be our future officers, technicians, dispatchers, and administrators helps us build a robust future of dedicated professionals ready to continue that tradition of service,” Boulder Police Chief Stephen Redfearn said. “I’m also grateful for the volunteers who serve on the Boulder Police Foundation and for the continued excellent coordination and working relationship we have with the Boulder Sheriff’s Office.”

Brian Pinkowski, Chairman of the Boulder Police Foundation, said the group’s focus this year is on helping BPD deepen its engagement with the community. In previous years, the Foundation has provided funding for BPD’s first dedicated K9 Unit, departmental recognition events, and custom-fitting body amor that can stop high powered rifle rounds often used in mass shootings.