Since Colorado State Patrol (CSP) Trooper William Moden’s death, many have shared stories have about his passion for law enforcement and his involvement in the community.
One example is how he impacted kids with UCHealth’s P.A.R.T.Y. Program.
The acronym stands for “Prevent Alcohol and Risk-Related Trauma in Youth.” It’s a five-hour class for teens that shows them the results of distracted and impaired driving.
"We take them through the path of a trauma,” said Laurie Lovedale, Injury Prevention Specialist with Trauma Services for UCHealth’s University of Colorado Hospital. "We know for 15-19-year-olds in our state, the major cause of injury and fatalities is motor vehicle crashes."
Trooper Moden was involved in the program since he became a part of CSP’s Vehicular Homicide Unit three years ago.
Moden's supervisor, CSP Sergeant Scott Liska, remembers how excited his trooper was to start working with teens.
“He saw how much fun we have, and of course if there’s fun, there’s Trooper Moden," said Sgt. Liska.
RELATED: 'Our knight in shining armor': Fallen trooper Moden remembered for public service, sense of humor
He was the kind of guy who knew how to relate to teenagers with his big personality, sense of humor and transparency.
“It’s something that the kids related to,” said Sgt. Liska. “It’s like, ‘This isn’t just this big, stern police officer. I can trust him with things, I can open up to him, and therefore I can learn more about what we’re doing and what we’re talking about.’”
Friday will be the first time since the trooper’s death that Sgt. Liska and Lovedale will put on the P.A.R.T.Y. program without him.
“It’s going to be a challenging day,” Lauri said. “But we are trying to make a difference. Maybe it’s going to be more impactful because we have more passion behind our messaging to students and why this is so important.”
The investigation into Trooper Moden’s death is ongoing; however, the importance of pulling to the side of the road and slowing down when you see emergency vehicles will be brought up during the class in his name.
“Maybe the teens can keep that in the back of their mind,” said Sgt. Liska. “‘Hey, I remember troopers in the P.A.R.T.Y. Program discussing how Trooper Moden was killed.’ Maybe because of that, they can think a little bit."
If you know a group of teenagers who would benefit from UCHealth’s P.A.R.T.Y. Program, you’ll find more information at UCHealth.org.
RELATED: Driver who hit, killed Colorado state trooper isn’t believed to have been impaired, CSP says
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