Man gets maximum sentence in shooting death of Jefferson County K-9 Graffit
DENVER (KDVR) — A man received the maximum sentence Friday for killing Jefferson County Sheriff’s K-9 Graffit and other crimes from the incident that happened last year.
According to the First Judicial District Attorney’s Office, Eduardo Armando Romero, 30, was sentenced to 12 years in the Department of Corrections after he pleaded guilty earlier this year to:
Aggravated cruelty to animals
Identity theft
Menacing
Driving under the influence
Aggravated motor vehicle theft in the second degree
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Romero was sentenced to 12 years in prison to be served consecutively to the sentence he is already serving for similar crimes he committed in Denver, according to the DA’s office. According to court records, those crimes included motor vehicle theft and forgery.
Romero was offered a plea deal by the DA’s office, which resulted in the dismissal of previous charges of obstructing a peace officer, resisting arrest, vehicular eluding and motor vehicle theft.
The events leading to Graffit’s death started on Feb. 13, 2023, in Golden when the Mines Police Department and Golden Police Department say officers attempted to contact a driver slumped over his steering wheel and unresponsive near 19th Avenue and Elm Street. Once police woke the driver, he began to slowly leave, swerving into oncoming traffic, according to police reports, before losing consciousness again.
When police woke the suspect a second time, he began ramming into patrol cars. Police tried to remove the man from his vehicle, but he was able to flee police and run into a wooded area near the Colorado School of Mines campus. While fleeing, the suspect pointed a handgun at an officer, according to police reports.
K-9 Graffit (Credit: Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office) A procession was held for K-9 Graffit after an armed suspect allegedly shot and killed the K-9 on the Colorado School of Mines campus.
Police began to track the suspect with a K-9, later identified as Graffit. The man fired shots at the dog, killing Graffit. Later, police identified the suspect as Romero.
Officers, deputies mourn K-9 loss during sentencing
The DA’s office said the overwhelming theme of Friday’s sentencing was that “K9 Graffit, who was the most experienced and trained dog on JCSO’s team, was not just a dog.”
Jefferson County deputies told the judge the profound impact Graffit’s death had on them.
“Graffit was more than just a dog. He was a friend, family member, a loved one, and most of all, he was Deputy Oliver’s partner,” said one deputy, according to the DA’s office.
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Senior Deputy District Attorney Amanda Becker, who specializes in prosecuting animal-related crimes, told the judge how law enforcement canines act as skilled partners, performing tasks beyond human abilities.
“They have the senses that allow us to see what we cannot see — drugs, humans, weapons — law enforcement animals have helped keep our communities safe, and they are an asset,” Becker said, according to the DA’s office.
Romero also faced charges related to felony identity theft after providing a false name to police, having someone’s passport and using that identity to rent a motel room.
Becker said the maximum sentence was warranted given Romero’s “10 previous convictions for similar behavior, his numerous unsuccessful attempts at rehabilitation, being on bond for multiple cases at the time of the incident and his aggravated behavior that placed law enforcement in severe danger.”
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The DA provided evidence that Graffit’s training and experience cost Jefferson County taxpayers over $107,000. In addition to the necropsy and damages to patrol vehicles, the DA requested $158,455 in restitution.
A final hearing to address restitution is scheduled for July 11.
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