The killer swung a weapon into the Denver police officers head that left two deep impressions in his skull... He was still on his feet when his attacker snatched the officers gun from him and poured three shots into his chest... David Leroy Tafoya, 38, toppled to the pavement onto his face. Tafoya was in full uniform at the time.
Police found his body at 4:15 a.m., Feb. 10, 1980. Tafoya was pronounced dead at the scene.
Detectives found footprints in the snow leading back to Tafoyas van, indicating that the officer had been chasing after someone when he was struck.
http://blogs.denverpost.com/coldcases/2014/11/29/denver-14/9572/