June Message from Chief Redfearn

And then Sunday happened.

On Monday, June 2, the day after the attack, I was in a meeting at the Jewish Community Center (JCC) discussing the terrorist attack the day prior, when someone in the meeting said this phrase: "And then Sunday happened."

I don't know why it stuck with me, but it was emblematic of what I was feeling; that a beautiful day in downtown Boulder was instantly shattered, and many people's lives were changed forever.

The night prior to the attack, I was on Pearl Street with my husband, taking advantage of a rare night off together after attending an event here in town. We walked the mall, noticing how everyone seemed happy and enjoying the warm late May evening. And then Sunday happened.

When I got the first text message from our dispatch manager that spoke of a mass casualty incident at the historic Pearl Street Courthouse, I was taken aback. Not because we had a mass casualty incident — I am used to these having responded to three of them prior to June 1 — but because of the mention of Molotov Cocktails.

I immediately turned on the police radio. I heard organized chaos, and the familiar voices of our team immediately told me this was a big deal. The next message I sent to our leadership team said, "Everyone to Boulder code 3," which means emergency response with lights and sirens.

I got to the scene as quickly as possible, and within minutes I knew this was going to be an international incident, and that we were in for the long haul.

What I also learned at the scene was that our officers arrived within 4 minutes of the 911 call, and that one of our brave officers immediately confronted the suspect, taking him into custody, and certainly preventing additional people from being hurt. I could not be prouder of our officers and public safety partners who rushed into that scene knowing the danger that waited for them.

I have long heard from wise police chiefs that this job is all about relationships, and the days after this attack hit this point home incredibly hard. Starting in 2024, when I took over as interim chief, I shared internally and publicly that one of our top priorities would be community engagement. This resulted in the formation of strong bonds between our community and the police department, especially with our diverse community members including the Jewish community.

When the attack occurred, within minutes, my team and I were in contact with leaders in our local, state, and national Jewish community. What was amazing was that we weren't meeting for the first time. It was first names, hugs, and tears, and then the work began, with that level of trust we had already established.

The result was a well-put-together criminal case that our D.A., as well as the United States Attorney, can now take to ensure justice is served. The days after the attack were incredibly long. We had to ensure that no additional violence occurred and create an environment where everyone felt safe coming together. Thankfully both large events that week went well with only very minor issues.

As the week progressed, all our efforts focused on the Sunday following the attack, and the pre-planned Jewish Festival, which takes place every year in the exact spot where the attack occurred. The festival went off without any major issues, and the love our community showed for us was quite moving.

After being out in the crowd through the festival on Sunday, I remember driving home and thinking that there is no other profession I would rather work in, and no other police department that I would rather lead. What I witnessed in the 7 days since the attack was a strong and heroic police department, willing to serve and ready to protect, and a resilient and tight-knit community that I know will get through this together and not let hate win.

Stay safe,

Steve Redfearn, police chief