Patrolman Harold Bechtelheimer was shot and killed after stopping a vehicle for speeding on Highway 85-87 near Colorado Springs.
Unbeknownst to Patrolman Bechtelheimer, the two occupants had stolen the vehicle earlier in the evening and had robbed a nearby liquor store. Before Patrolman Bechtelheimer caught up to them the men had stopped due to a mechanical problem with the vehicle. One of the suspects was looking underneath the front of the vehicle when Patrolman Bechtelheimer approached and was not observed by Patrolman Bechtelheimer. As he spoke with the driver the second man snuck around the vehicle and stuck a pistol in Patrolman Bechtelheimer's back. Patrolman Bechtelheimer spun around and struck the man with his flashlight before being shot in the chest. Both men were later apprehended and sentenced to life.
Patrolman Bechtelheimer had been with the agency for just over four years.
