Golden police chief to retire

Golden Police Chief Bill Kilpatrick is retiring from the department after 32 years of service, including 20 years as chief.

The chief on Thursday announced his retirement, effective March 16, in a news release.

Kilpatrick, who was an Englewood officer, sergeant and detective over a 10-year span prior to joining Golden in 1989, served as chief during a time of major growth in the city, which is the Jefferson County seat and site of the Coors Brewery and the Colorado School of Mines campus. Golden has about 21,000 residents.

“The City of Golden is a safer and stronger place because of Chief Bill Kilpatrick’s leadership and years of service to the Golden Police Department,” said Mayor Laura Weinberg. “We thank Chief Kilpatrick for his leadership and wish him the best in his retirement.”

Kilpatrick is a graduate of Northeastern University, the University of Denver and DU’S Sturm College of Law.

“To the members of the Golden Police Department: there is no finer police department anywhere in this country. The dedication, commitment, compassion, passion, professionalism and resiliency that you demonstrate daily is awe-inspiring. Any accomplishments this organization has achieved is a direct result of your ceaseless efforts. You have my eternal admiration and respect,” Kilpatrick said. “Residents of Golden, thank you so much for your enduring confidence in the women and men of the Golden Police Department. They work ever so diligently to keep you, your family and this community safe.”

Deputy Police Chief Joe Harvey, who has 34 years of law enforcement experience, will serve as the next chief of the department, which has more than 60 employees, including more than 40 officers. Harvey joined the Golden department in 2015 and has been deputy chief since 2018.