Aurora Police Department, Colorado
End of Watch: Friday, August 16, 1985
Age: 34
Tour of Duty: 5 years
Badge Number: 80-44
Cause of Death: Gunfire (Inadvertent)
Date of Incident: August 16, 1985
Weapon Used: Handgun; Mac-10
Suspect Info: Not available
Patrolman Thomas Dietzman was accidentally shot and killed while qualifying for the department's SWAT team at the Aurora Police Academy's range.
He had already taken the physical agility test and was the first applicant to take the firearms proficiency test. During the scenario, he was accidentally shot in the back of the head with a MAC-10 automatic pistol by another officer.
Patrolman Dietzman had served with the Aurora Police Department for five years. He was survived by his wife, son, and daughter.