Suspect In Trooper's Death Appears In Court
CASTLE ROCK, Colo. (CBS4) - The suspect in the death of a Colorado State Patrol officer appeared in court on Friday morning for an advisement of the formal charges against him.
On Nov. 15, Trooper Jaimie Jursevics was assisting another trooper at an accident scene when she tried to get an alleged drunk driver to slow down and pull over.
The driver hit her at 70 mph and left her body in the middle of Interstate 25 near Castle Rock.
Four miles later, Palmer Lake Police arrested retired Army Col. Eric Henderson.
Henderson has three felonies against him, vehicular homicide, hit-and-run and tampering with physical evidence along with two misdemeanor DUI charges. He faces 25 years in prison, possibly more, based on what the judge decides if he's convicted.
Henderson admitted to drinking several beers before and after the Broncos game. Officers say his speech was slurred, he smelled of alcohol, and reportedly cried while saying, "I killed a cop."
George Brauchler, the 18th Judicial District Attorney, said despite Henderson's military record of 27 years, he will not get special consideration.
"As much as I honor service and respect it, and I want our society to do that same, it is not a get out of jail free card, it's not a ticket to get treated better than anybody else in our community either," said Brauchler.
Henderson quickly left after the hearing. Jursevics' colleagues and fellow state troopers were also in court where they emphasized not to drink and drive.
Jursevics was a wife and mother of an 8-month-old little girl, Morgan.
"We will never forget Jaimie, this year we lost Taylor Thyfault also, all the members of law enforcement that comes before, we will never forget," said State Patrol Chief Scott Hernandez.
He mentioned that this year more than 300 people have died on Colorado roadways.
"We feel it so much right now and Jaimie's family feels it so much right now and everyone of those families feels it," said Hernandez.
Henderson is scheduled for court on Feb. 4, 2016.
