Stunning footage shows huge line of cop cars guiding hero Boulder cop, 51, to hospital

Dozens of police cars and emergency vehicles were involved in a flashing light procession last night as they helped escort the body of the slain Boulder police officer away from the scene of the grocery store massacre.  

Boulder Police officer Eric Talley, 51, was among the 10 people shot dead at King Soopers in Boulder on Monday afternoon when a gunman opened fire. 

In the hours after the massacre, the slain officer’s colleagues honored the father-of-seven with a procession as they followed the ambulance carrying his body to a funeral home.   

Footage shot by a helicopter news crew captured the flashing lights of emergency vehicles as they snaked their way across the city at dusk. 

The procession left from the King Soopers grocery store at around 7.45pm.

Along the way, officers and first responders saluted the fallen officer. 

Officer Mark Bliley, head of the Boulder Police Department’s union, said Talley was a close friend who was passionate about policing. 

Bliley said that when on the job, Talley had a unique ability to connect with people.

‘He was just a highly respected, well-loved person and officer. Just a solid person… I don’t know of anyone who didn’t like Eric. 

Boulder Police Chief Maris Herold said Talley had been with the Boulder Police Department since 2010.

‘I’m grateful for the police officers that responded and I am so sorry about the loss of Officer Talley,’ Herold said. 

Talley had joined the force just eleven years ago at the age of 40, according to a statement from Talley’s father, Homer Talley.

‘He took his job as a police officer very seriously. He had seven children. The youngest is 7 year old. He loved his kids and his family more than anything. He was looking for a job to keep himself off of the front lines and was learning to be a drone operator. He didn’t want to put his family through something like this and he believed in Jesus Christ,’ his father said.

Talley, who had a master’s degree, had quit his stable IT job in 2010 after one of his close friends died in a DUI crash to enroll in the police academy.  

‘He was pretty driven to join law enforcement,’ his police academy friend Jeremy Herko told the Washington Post. 

‘That was his life. He absolutely loved his job and wanted to serve the community. 

‘It was remarkable to me that somebody would go to law enforcement from IT. He lost pay. He lost time away from his family. He joined the police academy without a guaranteed job.’  

After joining the force, Talley made headlines in 2013 as one of three officers who helped save 11 ducklings that had become stuck in a drainage ditch with their mother.  

Talley eventually waded into calf-deep water to rescue the ducks one by one from the pipes, the Boulder Daily Camera reported at the time.  

Following his death on Monday, Boulder police chief Maris Herold described Talley as ‘heroic’ and confirmed that he was the first to respond to the shooting at a King Soopers supermarket. 

‘We know of 10 fatalities at the scene, including one of our Boulder PD officers… Officer Talley responded to the scene – was first on the scene – and he was fatally shot,’ Herold said when news broke.

The Boulder police department shared a photo of Talley in uniform with the caption: ‘Rest in peace Officer Eric Talley. Your service will never be forgotten’.  

Several other police forces in the area have tweeted their sympathies to the Boulder Police Department. 

‘Our hearts go out to Officer Eric Talley, his family and the families of the other victims from this tragic day,’ the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office tweeted. 

‘Our hearts and prayers are with the Boulder Police family tonight as they face the loss of a heroic brother in blue.’ Colorado State Patrol wrote.

‘Our thoughts and prayers go out to the Boulder Police Department. To all the victims who lost their lives, and all the brave men and women who responded to the active shooter at King Soopers this afternoon’, Westminster Police said.

The gunman – who is now in custody – opened fire in the parking lot of the King Soopers grocery store shortly before 3pm on Monday.  

He then went inside where witnesses have described him indiscriminately shooting at staff and shoppers. 

Survivors hid in food aisles and sheltered while trying to listen to which direction he was coming from, and if he was reloading what they described as an AR-15 rifle. 

Witnesses recalled hearing multiple loud bangs outside the shop before the sound of gunshots drew closer. Some say the gunman just ‘came in and started shooting’. 

The terror went on for around 20 minutes before he was taken into custody. 

Police have not yet confirmed whether he is the man who was seen being led out of the store, shirtless and barefoot, with blood dripping down one of his legs. 

They have not shared his name and they have not charged him yet. 

All that they have confirmed is that only the shooter was injured – everyone else who was shot died.  

It remains unclear what his motive was or why it is taking so long for him to be formally identified by law enforcement. Police are expected to give an update at 8.30am local time.     

Shortly after learning of the incident, Colorado Gov Jared Polis said in a statement: ‘My heart is breaking as we watch this unspeakable event unfold in our Boulder community. We are making every public safety resource available to assist the Boulder County Sheriff’s Department as they work to secure the store. 

‘I’m incredibly grateful to the brave men and women who have responded to the scene to help the victims of this senseless tragedy.’

The governor continued: ‘This is very much an active situation and we continue to monitor very closely. We ask for your patience as law enforcement works tirelessly to secure the site. Right now, the biggest priority is to let local law enforcement and the City of Boulder do their work to ensure the safety of those involved.’

Boulder Mayor Sam Weaver said that ‘words can do no justice to the tragedy that has unfolded this afternoon’.

‘Our community will soon grieve our losses, and begin our healing. Our brave police officers and first responders have the gratitude of our entire city.’

White House press secretary Jen Psaki shared Monday evening that President Joe Biden ‘has been briefed on the shooting in Colorado and he will be kept up to date by his team as there are additional developments’.