Local law enforcement shows support for fallen trooper

So many law enforcement officers in the Colorado Springs area attended Monday’s funeral of Trooper Jaimie Jursevics that it left at least one department shorthanded for the day.

Cpl. J.R. Benavides of the Colorado State Patrol said his normal staff of seven troopers covering El Paso and Pueblo counties was reduced to three because of funeral leave.

“But it wasn’t a problem for us,” he said. “We had fewer numbers but not as many crashes. Not many people were traveling yet.”

Benavides said troopers were encouraged to attend the funeral of Jursevics, who died last weekend when she was hit by an accused drunken driver along Interstate 25 near Castle Rock.

“But we still have an obligation to protect lives and enforce laws,” he said.

Benavides said he and Jursevics had met before.

“I taught some classes in the past with her,” he said. “I remember her being a fun-type person.”

Colorado Springs police sent Chief Pete Carey, its honor guard and other officers to the funeral.

“It’s not easy for the families or the spouses,” said Lt. Catherine Buckley. “We honor (the fallen) by wearing mourning shrouds on our badges. We honor them by taking a quiet moment to ourselves, saying a prayer, saying something that helps us get through it.”

Flags flew at half-staff in the area in honor of Jursevics.