Vigil honors fallen UCCS police officer

From a parade of lights to honor fallen police officers to candlelight in the midst of darkness.

Dozens of people gathered at University of Colorado-Colorado Springs to pay their respects to fallen Officer Garrett Swasey Saturday night.

The word used most often – dedication.

Whether it was dedication to his family, dedication to his friends or the general public, he was remembered as someone who served both in public safety and in faith.

“He wanted to go, badly,” UCCS Police Chief Brian McPike said, referring to his desire to help others in emergencies.

“Garrett was a sacrificial giver, who capitalized on every opportunity to give to others,” said Kurt Aichele, pastor elder at Hope Chapel in Colorado Springs, where Swasey also volunteered as a pastor.

He was called a man of public safety and a man of God, as people remembered him. Some were angry, some were still shocked, but they used the time to honor Swasey.

“I grieve for the loss of one of my closest friends, the loss of my children’s second father,” Aichele said.

“I never expected to not see Garrett again,” said another pastor elder, Scott Dontanville. “To see him walk out that door and never come back again.”

A memorial grew throughout the day Saturday at UCCS, as people brought flowers, candles and notes of condolence.

Other signs put up by the university read that Friday marked the end of his watch.

“Garrett stood for our American flag. He stood for justice. He stood for our university,” McPike said. “He stood for our law enforcement brethren.”

But fellow pastors urged forgiveness and asked those who knew him to focus on his bravery.

“When called, to require to place himself in harm’s way, he chose again to protect,” Aichele said. “That was his nature.”

Two other people were killed in the shootings on Friday. Their identities won’t be released until at least Monday.