Colorado State Patrol Officer Charged With Count of Felony Menacing
In 2008, the headlines looked a little different for Jay Hemphill.
In July of 2007, Hemphill was protecting Governor Bill Ritter, Jr. from an armed man at the State Capitol Building. Hemphill was awarded the Citizens Appreciate State Troopers Award in 2008 for his service on that day.
Hemphill was also awarded the Medal of Valor as a technician for his actions that day.
Now, on September 10, 2021, Denver District Attorney Beth McCann announced 49-year-old Hemphill has been charged with one count of felony menacing.
It is alleged by the prosecutors that Hemphill was reported pointing his duty firearm at a female driver while crossing the street on August 25, 2021. According to the arrest affidavit, the woman who was in the vehicle was the one who reported the incident.
Hemphill's first court appearance for the case was on September 8, 2021.
According to 9News investigative reporter Jeremey Jojola, this is the second time this year that there has been an accusation of menacing a citizen with a gun has been made against Colorado State Patrol.
The previous incident that was reported against a Colorado State Patrol member resulted in that member being fired immediately after an internal investigation by the department.
There is no information available right as to when the next steps of the process will be regarding Hemphill's charges.
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