Concerns Over Sullivan Hit Cherry Creek Schools
DENVER (CBS4) - After serving as the Arapahoe County Sheriff, Pat Sullivan worked for the Cherry Creek School District. He left that job in 2008, but details of his arrest are now raising concerns in the district.
Sullivan went before a judge in Centennial in Wednesday. The 68-year-old was shackled and heard the judge double his bond to $500,000.
Investigators and the school district are trying to figure out if Sullivan had any inappropriate contact with students. According to Sullivan's list of job duties it appears unlikely. But in the years he worked for the district he was in and out of several schools.
Cherry Creek School District is cooperating with the Sullivan investigation after being contacted by the Arapahoe County Sheriff's Office on Nov. 29. Sullivan worked for the district from 2002 to 2008.
"We are urging anyone to come forward if they know anything, if they just heard something, or if they themselves have been a victim," Tustin Amole with Cherry Creek Schools said. "We want to know that."
There are no reports that Sullivan had any inappropriate contact with any underage students, but Amole wants parents to talk with their children.
"If there are children out there who knew Pat or had seen him, they should talk to their parents about anything, any experience they may have had or any concerns that they may have," Amole said.
READ STORY: Former Arapahoe Co. Sheriff's Makes First Court Appearance
Amole gave CBS4 a list of Sullivan's job description during the 6 years he worked for the district. None of them put him in direct contact with any students.
Sullivan was responsible for managing a district-wide security operation to provide safety for everyone on district property post Columbine. He resigned voluntarily in 2008, but no specific reason was given. For Amole, who has known Sullivan for 23 years, the allegations were a complete surprise.
"I think we were beyond shocked and stunned. This was a man who came to us with a stellar reputation," Amole said.
Amole said they will continue to update their website with new information about the case that's relevant to parents.
ADDITIONAL RESOURCES: Sullivan Affidavit
More About Pat Sullivan
Sullivan was the elected Arapahoe County Sheriff for 19 years. He retired in 2002 and went on to become director of safety and security for Cherry Creek Schools. He was a nationally-regarded law enforcement figure and in 2001 as the National Sheriff Association named Sullivan "Sheriff of the Year."
According to public records, in 2007 and 2008 Sullivan was an active participant in state and local methamphetamine task forces, helping craft a state plan to deal with the scourge of methamphetamine.
Pat Sullivan (credit: CBS)Sullivan was a revered figure in law enforcement. When he retired the Rocky Mountain News called him "Dedicated. Loyal. Available. Protector. High Achiever. Medal of Valor Winner. Hero."
The National Association of School Resource Officers gave Sullivan a Lifetime Achievement Award in 2002. At the time the executive director of NASRO, Curtis Lavarello, said of Sullivan, "You are not only committed to the SRO concept, but have truly spent your entire career making every effort to keep children safe."
Sullivan served in law enforcement for 40 years, beginning in 1962 as a Littleton police officer and dispatcher. He joined the Arapahoe County Sheriff's Office in 1979 as a captain and patrol division commander. He was named undersheriff in 1983 and appointed to the top job 6 months later.
Sullivan testified before congressional subcommittees on several occasions, weighing in on various law enforcement issues.
President Bill Clinton named Sullivan in 1995 to the National Commission on Crime Prevention and Control. According to a 1995 White House news release, Sullivan was a consultant to U.S. House Subcommittee on Crime and served on two advisory councils affiliated with the Department of Justice.
