CASTLE ROCK - A suspect has been arrested and identified in the death of a Colorado State Patrol Trooper who was killed Monday morning.
Retired Army Colonel Eric Peter Henderson, 52, was arrested for vehicular homicide, failure to remain on scene, driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol and careless driving resulting in death.
Trooper Jaimie Jursevics, 33, was hit while investigating a wreck and later trying to pull over Henderson, who had been reported as a possible drunk driver.
The nearly four year member of CSP was assisting with another crash when she was hit outside her patrol car. She leaves behind a husband and young child, as well as a grieving department in CSP.
According to court documents, the Trooper was notified that a possible drunk driver was headed towards her location. The person who reported the drunk driver saw Jursevics shine her flashlight in the road when the possible drunk driver approached. That's when she was hit. A responding trooper could not find a pulse. Jursevics died on scene.
An officer with the Palmer Lake Police Department was one of several agencies with a description of the vehicle that hit the trooper and left the scene. He pulled over the truck which had front end damage. Inside was Henderson. Another man was in the passenger seat. The officer asked Henderson what happened to the front of his car and he responded "nothing." The officer saw signs of intoxication and detained Henderson for hit and run and DUI.
Henderson and the passenger would give blood tests although their BAC levels are not currently available.
Henderson refused to answer investigator's questions and asked for a lawyer. When he was informed of his charges investigators say he looked shocked, even asked repeatedly what the charges are. While paperwork was being completed a detective heard him say "I killed a cop" and appeared to be crying.
The passenger in Henderson's vehicle did answer questions. He said the two started drinking at a Broncos tailgate at Sports Authority Field. He said Henderson had two or three beers at the tailgate and to beers inside the stadium. After the game they went to a nearby bar and had another beer. Then they drove home. The passenger said he dozed off on the way home but he remembered Henderson pulling off the side of the road and making a u-turn. He recalls a "big thump" waking him up.
Henderson is a decorated veteran, most recently being awarded the Legion of Merit for his work as chief of the G-33 Operations Division, a group that provides oversight to active military operations. According to The U.S. Army website, Henderson served in that capacity from 2003 until his retirement in July 2013.
Henderson remains in the Douglas County Sheriff's Office Detention Center on $1 million bond.
Anyone who witnessed the crash is asked to call the Douglas County tip line at 303-660-7579.
(© 2015 KUSA)
