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Local Author Remembers 'Killdozer' In New Book

By Matt Kroschel

GRANBY, Colo. (CBS4) - You may not remember June 4, 2004 but you have probably seen the dramatic images from that day.

It was the sunny summer day when a man inside an armored covered bulldozer attacked the small town of Granby.

killdozer1
(credit: CBS)

Now a decade later a man who witnessed the destruction first hand is hoping his newly published book will offer insight into the chaos.

"I thought, 'My God, that looks like some sort of science fiction Darth Vader contraption rolling down the street," author Partick Brower said. "It was very ominous."

Bulldozer Rampage In Granby, June 4, 2004
To make the bulldozer, Marvin Heemeyer (not pictured) poured 4 inches of concrete between plates of steel, which he welded onto the Komatsu to armor it. Heemeyer rigged the bulldozer with video cameras equipped with air compressors to blow dust off the lenses. Images of the world outside appeared on monitors inside the enclosed cab so he could guide it without exposing himself, according to the Rocky Mountain News. He stuck three guns, including a .50-caliber rifle, out of portholes bored into the armor to keep authorities at bay. The Komatsu D355-A bulldozer had a 410-horsepower bulldozer engine and it was primed, fueled and protected by steel and concrete. It destroyed or damaged 12 buildings and caused $5 million damage. (image credit: CBS)

Brower was working at the local newspaper on that now infamous day in 2004 when "all hell broke loose" in the rural town in Grand County.

The images of the armored bulldozer slowly and purposefully crossing town destroying targeted buildings along the way are still difficult to watch.

"It took a sharp right turn and destroyed the building," Brower said. "I was in it at the time, walls crumbling around me, and I ran out of the office with another editor who was with me."

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(credit: CBS)

The man behind the machine was local resident Marvin "Marc" Heemeyer. He took his own life after causing millions of dollars in damage in the town. As our CBS4 cameras from our helicopter captured SWAT teams moving in, the bulldozer became stuck in rubble and the ordeal ended. The story has become the stuff of local folklore, some people still believe the man inside that dozer had valid reasons for his rampage, most remember the event with pain and sadness.

Bulldozer Rampage In Granby, June 4, 2004
June 4, 2004, was the date of Marvin Heemayer's rampage through the town of Granby with an armored bulldozer. The Komatsu D355-A with a 410-horsepower engine destroyed or damaged 12 buildings and caused $5 million damage. CBS4's Copter4 helicopter was the only news helicopter to fly over Granby while the rampage was going on. Granby is a mountain town of 1,600 residents. Heemeyer rammed the 20-cubic-yard blade of his "MK Tank" into several town buildings, including the municipal center. Every round that SWAT teams and police fired at Marvin Heemeyer did little more than pockmark the steel-plated covering of the bulldozer. Heemayer killed himself inside the bulldozer after the 90 minute rampage came to a stop. The bulldozer was towed out of Granby and eventually dismantled. (image credit: CBS)

"I was on his list," Brower said. "He knew where I lived. My wife was at home sleeping with our youngest child so I ran home to get them out no matter what was going to happen."

"Killdozer: The True Story of the Colorado Bulldozer Rampage" is now on book stands.

Bulldozer Rampage In Granby, June 4, 2004
June 4, 2004, was the date of Marvin Heemayer's rampage through the town of Granby with an armored bulldozer. The Komatsu D355-A with a 410-horsepower engine destroyed or damaged 12 buildings and caused $5 million damage. CBS4's Copter4 helicopter was the only news helicopter to fly over Granby while the rampage was going on. Granby is a mountain town of 1,600 residents. Heemeyer rammed the 20-cubic-yard blade of his "MK Tank" into several town buildings, including the municipal center. Every round that SWAT teams and police fired at Marvin Heemeyer did little more than pockmark the steel-plated covering of the bulldozer. Heemayer killed himself inside the bulldozer after the 90 minute rampage came to a stop. The bulldozer was towed out of Granby and eventually dismantled. (image credit: CBS)

Tuesday, Brewer will host a book signing a decade in the making at the Granby library.

Matt Kroschel covers news throughout Colorado working from the CBS4 Mountain Newsroom. Send story ideas to mrkroschel@cbs.com and connect with him on Twitter @Matt_Kroschel.

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