Pueblo police on high alert after recent police shootings

The fourth officer-involved shooting for Pueblo in 2016 came on Sunday.

It came on the heels of another deadly weekend for law enforcement, as three officers were killed in Baton Rouge. Now, officers are on high alert.

While the officer followed Pueblo Police Department protocol, events like this and others around the country, are taking a toll.

“Disaster can happen in split seconds,” Deputy Chief Troy Davenport said.

Even during a routine traffic stop, on Sunday an officer pulled 45-year-old Shawn Clay over for blowing through a stop sign, when the unexpected happened.

Clay pulled into the 7-Eleven at 926 Lake Avenue, got out of his car holding a handgun and ran away.

“Immediately the officer would draw their weapon. They would be in defense mode, and they would see that as a significant threat,” Davenport said.

The officer fired a single shot as Clay ran North. He wasn’t injured and is still wanted by police.

Davenport oversees all uniformed officers at the Pueblo Police Department. He said at traffic stops, police are focused on safety.

“When a person gets out of the car, there’s less control. The officer’s approach has been taken away, and they’re trained to approach vehicles and people in a way that keeps them safe,” Davenport said.

In light of recent police shootings in Dallas and Baton Rouge, Davenport says police officers in Pueblo are more aware.

“Police officers are human beings,” Davenport said. “So, like any other human being, the things that you see in the media and on social media cause angst and concern,” Davenport said.

“They certainly are affected by all of these things that are taking place across the country” Chief Luis Velez said.

In his 36 years in law enforcement, Velez says he’s never seen this kind of violence toward police.

“Somewhere along the line the police became the enemy, and that is so sad,” Velez said.

To honor the fallen, Pueblo police are wearing a blue and black shroud over their badge and flying flags at half staff.

Regardless of recent events, it doesn’t change one simple fact for Velez.

“We are still responding to all of the calls for service as we can,” Velez said. “As people need police service, we’ll be there.”

Right now no protocol changes, such as two-man patrols, are planned for the Pueblo Police Department. This is mainly because of staffing shortages.