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Lakewood Police Agent Was Involved In Previous Fatal Shooting

LAKEWOOD, Colo. (CBS4) - CBS4 has learned that the Lakewood police agent who fatally shot and killed fellow officer James Davies was involved in another deadly shooting in 2009.

Sources have told CBS4 that SWAT team member Devaney Braley, 35, is the officer who fired the deadly shot Friday morning. Steve Davis, a spokesman for the Lakewood Police Department, refused to confirm the CBS4 report saying his agency would not identify the officer responsible for the shooting.

Braley, who is known to colleagues as "DJ," has been with the Lakewood Police Department since 2001. A fellow officer calls Braley an "excellent" officer -- the kind of officer his department wants involved in major incidents.

RELATED: Lakewood Officer Was Killed From Gunfire Of Other Officer

In an online profile, Braley reported he has a master's degree in organizational leadership from Colorado State University.

In 2009 Braley killed an armed man who pointed a gun at the officer. Braley was chasing Eugene Paul Velarde first in his car and then on foot near Sloan's Lake. During the foot chase, Velarde aimed a loaded handgun at the officer, according to Braley, who then fired six shots. Four of the rounds hit Velarde.

Officer Jim Davies
Officer Jim Davies (credit: Lakewood Police)

"I had to shoot him," Braley said at the time. "He was going to kill me."

The Denver district attorney cleared Braley of any criminal wrongdoing in that case, ruling the Lakewood officer was justified in using deadly force. Additionally, the Lakewood Police Department found Braley had followed department policy and procedure.

One police source told CBS4 Braley is devastated and despondent by what happened and is being comforted at his home by fellow officers.

- Written by Brian Maass for CBSDenver.com

The Lakewood Police Department has set up an account to help Officer James Davies' family. To donate, contact the Foothills Credit Union located at 7990 W. Alameda Ave. Call (720) 962-8200 or visit https://www.foothills-cu.com for more information. You can also make a donation online with the City of Lakewood.

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