Douglas County Sheriff Darren Weekly condemned Governor Jared Polis’s decision to grant clemency to convicted felon Brandin Kreuzer, who attempted to kill two Douglas County Sheriff’s Deputies during a violent 2008 crime spree. Kreuzer has served just 15 years of his 50-year sentence.
The case stems from a violent, month-long crime spree in 2008 orchestrated by Brandin Kreuzer and Taylor Moudy. Sheriff Weekly, who personally worked as an investigation’s commander on the original case, released the following statement:
“I have spoken with both deputies involved, and they are absolutely furious, as am I. The audacity of Governor Polis to grant clemency to a would-be cop killer on National Peace Officer Memorial Day shows a complete lack of respect for the brave men and women who wear the badge and put their lives on the line every day. I personally worked on this case and remember what it took to track these two suspects down.”
Between May 27 and June 28, 2008, Kreuzer and Moudy executed a sophisticated and escalating series of violent crimes across Castle Pines, Silver Heights, Perry Pines, and Christy Ridge. Operating under the code names “Pyro” and “Spike,” and equipped with tactical gear and headlamps, the duo committed an armed robbery and kidnapping, numerous residential burglaries, vehicle thefts, thefts of firearms, electronics, cash, and luxury vehicles.
The crime spree reached a near-deadly climax on June 28, 2008, when Deputy Todd Tucker attempted to stop a stolen vehicle driven by Moudy. A high-speed pursuit ensued onto Highway 105. During the chase, Kreuzer leaned out of the vehicle and fired numerous rounds at pursuing law enforcement—first with a stolen rifle, then with a handgun. Deputy Tucker was struck in the arm, and multiple patrol vehicles sustained heavy bullet damage before the suspects abandoned the vehicle and fled on foot.
Following an intensive manhunt, both suspects were apprehended. Investigators ultimately received full confessions from both men. Kreuzer led detectives to hidden caches on his family’s property, where authorities recovered the buried assault rifles used in the shooting, tactical vests, armor-piercing ammunition, and stolen property. The suspects were subsequently charged with and convicted of a litany of violent crimes, including First-Degree Assault, Aggravated Robbery, Kidnapping, and multiple counts of Burglary and Vehicle Theft.
The gravity of the incident in question remains a daily reality for the deputies who survived the shooting and the community that was terrorized by this violent crime spree in 2008.
Retired Lieutenant Todd Tucker, who was shot by Kreuzer and critically injured, expressed the deep impact of the Governor’s actions:”I cannot adequately express the anger, disgust, and profound disappointment I feel over Governor Polis’ decision to release a violent convicted felon who has not even served half of his sentence. This decision is an insult to me, my family, and every law enforcement officer who risks their life every single day to protect their communities…Governor Polis’ decision sends a dangerous and demoralizing message: that the attempted murder of a police officer no longer carries the weight or accountability it once did. It tells violent offenders that even the most serious crimes can eventually be excused or minimized through politics.”
Corporal Mike Adams shared a sobering reminder of how close this tragedy came to being fatal, and the lasting scars it leaves behind:
“For the Governor to grant clemency on National Peace Officer Memorial Day is a slap in our face and every law enforcement officer that puts on this uniform every day and for those that have made the ultimate sacrifice. There is not a day that goes by that I don’t think about this incident. If it wasn’t for that windshield stopping that bullet, the first round they shot at me, dead center of the windshield, it would’ve struck me in the face. If that windshield would not have stopped that bullet, I would not be standing here today speaking to you, and my boys would be growing up without a father. It is just appalling that the Governor would grant clemency to someone who tried to kill two police officers. Deputy Todd Tucker still has to live with his injuries to this day.”
“The Douglas County Sheriff’s Office is deeply disappointed by the Governor’s profound error in judgment, which we believe was based on faulty information. However, this decision will never change who we are or why we put on the badge.”
In the wake of this news, we have felt an overwhelming wave of support from the people we serve. We see you, we hear you, and we deeply appreciate the incredible community that continuously backs us up. Your trust is our greatest asset, and your safety remains our highest priority.
We are here to serve, we are here to protect, and no political decision will ever deter us from keeping Douglas County safe. Thank you for standing with us.
