Staszak Avenue dedicated to the memory of a fallen officer during the cornerstone laying ceremony for The Crossing – author: Carly Winchell

The Crossing Major Subdivision scheduled for Buena Vista took place on the afternoon of Thursday, June 27. The Crossing is a major subdivision located north of Crossman Avenue and east of Teal Run.

The event was impressively well-attended and stood out from other events of its type in many ways.

One such event was a ceremony to name a street in the new development Staszak Avenue, in honor of Officer Trevor Staszak, who was killed in the line of duty in 1996. Staszak was hit by a drunk driver while helping another driver near Buena Vista.

The Buena Vista Police Department (BVPD), members of Staszak’s family, and The Crossing developer Paul Andrews paid tribute to the fallen officer.

BVPD pays tribute to fallen officer Trevor Staszak by officially unveiling Staszak Avenue

Andrews set the stage for the Buena Vista Police Department (BVPD) to unveil the Staszak Avenue name. Andrews and his team reached out to various residents seeking recommendations for meaningful street names to include in the project.

“I said we went to a lot of people and asked for recommendations for street names,” Andrews began. “When I contacted Dean (Morgan), the police chief, I didn’t hesitate for a moment before he told me who we were going to name this major street after.”

Andrews then turned the microphone over to Chief Morgan. “This is incredibly meaningful to the BVPD, the many citizens who knew Trevor, and especially his friends and family. It’s an honor and a way to ensure that Officer Staszak’s service and dedication to this community will not be forgotten.”

Blue roses were then presented to local police officers and retired officers who served with Officer Staszak. Castilleja Flowers, a new florist at 322 East Main, provided the flowers for the event.

Chief Morgan listed former BVPD officer Dave Martin, Paonia Police Sergeant Garrett Henderson and his wife, and Colorado State Patrol Trooper Jim Boccaccio as among those present. Boccaccio worked the scene of the accident that night in 1996. Martin, a coworker and friend of Officer Staszak, witnessed the accident.

“This is an emotional day for many of these men,” Chief Morgan said.

“Sometimes officers see things that never leave them. Something traumatic from years ago that can still play in their minds as if it happened yesterday.”

Morgan also read a letter from Trevor’s widow, Kelli Toboyek, who was unable to attend. She was with Trevor the night he was killed.

“When someone dies, we often wonder how they will be remembered. How long will their stories live on? How long will that torch burn or be passed on, and who will care enough to continue to honor their memory?”

“This October will mark twenty-eight years since we lost Trevor, but today we stand together as we name a street in the community he so proudly loved and served. My heart is so full that Jimmy, Dean and the city, along with the city administration, continue to honor Trevor’s ultimate sacrifice,” Toboyek wrote.

“I want you to know that a huge part of me will always be in Buena Vista because it was there that I lost my best friend, husband and hero.”

Retired Police Chief Jimmy Tidwell then spoke about Officer Staszak. He was the chief when Staszak was on duty and notified the family after his death.

Tidwell became emotional when speaking about Officer Staszak. “This is a very tough day. Trevor was such a musclehead,” Tidwell said, drawing chuckles from the crowd.

“He was the only person in the world who could make me love the Green Bay Packers. I grew up west of Dallas and he made me root for Green Bay. It’s just sick.”

“Trevor was just amazing,” Tidwell continued, fighting back tears. “And he loved being a cop… I’ve never known a cop who loved his job so much. He really did. And he loved this city.”

Tidwell said he remembers the crash like it was yesterday evening. “But I want to remember Trevor,” he concluded.

Trevor’s sister, Cari Larsen, and niece Finley then entered the scene. Larsen was just a teenager when he was killed.

“Growing up, my family’s last name was constantly mispronounced, and my brother and I always had to spell it because no one else could spell it correctly,” Larsen began. “I’d like to start by publicly apologizing to anyone who will now have to learn to say and write Staszak.”

“When my brother died, I was 19, and my greatest fear was that he would be forgotten. But this special community has embraced his memory, and now his name will be spoken every day, and his legacy is secured.”

Larsen and her daughter, Finley, arrived in town the day before the ceremony began. Larsen said she enjoyed showing her the town where Trevor served.

“But the best part was touring the police station and listening to retired Chief Tidwell and his colleagues and friends tell my daughter stories about the uncle she never got to meet,” Larsen said.

At the conclusion of the ceremony, Chief Morgan called on all current and former BVPD officers to gather around the sign on Staszak Avenue for the official unveiling of the plaque.

“When you hear a lone police siren at night, most citizens are safe in their homes. After hearing the siren, many may wonder what’s going on and go back to their evening with their family,” Morgan said.

“But first responders know that the sound of a siren usually means that something tragic has happened in someone else’s life. It could be a fire. It could be a medical emergency. Someone could be in the middle of a violent crime. Whatever the cause, it’s usually not good, but first responders hold the line to respond to the call, just as BVPD Officer Trevor Staszak did on the night of Oct. 26, 1996.”

“On that snowy night in 1996, Officer Staszak arrived at the scene to help a driver who had been in a car accident. When he got out of his patrol car to help, he was hit by a drunk driver and killed while performing his duties.”

“Officer Staszak, badge number BV4, thank you for your service. Your courage and dedication are an example to us all. Although you are gone, you are not forgotten.”

Morgan caught the officers’ attention and used a police siren for 30 seconds as they saluted the Staszak Avenue sign and held aloft an American flag and a Thin Blue Line flag. There were audible sobs in the crowd as the siren wailed.

Thirty seconds into the siren, Westminster Police Officer Logan Tidwell, Chief Tidwell’s son, played “Amazing Grace” on the bagpipes.

There was a bit of a mix-up with the bagpipes as Officer Logan Tidwell was disassembling and reassembling the instrument before the ceremony began.

“Luckily Trevor was a patient man, so everything turned out fine,” Tidwell joked, drawing laughter from the crowd as he quickly repaired the instrument.

Tidwell played the beginning of the song near the gathered officers. Then he slowly walked away, still playing.

The sounds of the bagpipes faded away as the song drew to a close.

Chief Morgan dismissed the officers, and Andrews took the stage: “Thank you, Dean. Thank you, officers. Thank you for making the trip. I know he would be proud of you.”

“Some things are not respected,” Andrews commented, emotion evident in his voice. The Staszak Avenue street sign stood against the mountain backdrop as the groundbreaking and naming ceremony wrapped up.

More information about The Crossing development and the rest of the groundbreaking event will be available in part two. Voice of the Ark Valleyreception.