VOLUME 37 • NUMBER 7 • JANUARY 10, 2019
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The Villager has honored an outstanding man, woman, or couple of the year for decades. We take nominations for these awards and make our selection for these honors by our staff observing Villagers at work in our communities. Generally, the selection goes to longtime residents with distinguished careers in business and community service. The Shining Star award goes to a younger person starting their career in business, nonprofit work or governmental service. We’re honoring an individual who goes beyond the normal workday to achieve a higher level of service to others and to their community. A “Rising Star” brightens lives in their occupation. Be on the lookout for someone to nominate for the award next year. BY FREDA MIKLIN STAFF WRITER Cherry Hills Village City Clerk Laura Gillespie holds a master’s degree from New York’s Columbia University in conservation biology and a bachelor’s degree in biology and Spanish from
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the University of Denver. Originally from northern California, she grew up in Centennial, graduating from Eaglecrest High School. After working for several nonprofits in the area of conservation, Gillespie said during an interview, she realized she decided to change her focus to a career that included a more structured environment. She accepted an offer to become city clerk of CHV in 2009 and has never looked back. Gillespie is the behindthe-scenes glue of city government in CHV. She is responsible for all official records, including ordinances, resolutions and minutes of city council and its liquor-licensing authority. She is also responsible for all aspects of elections in CHV, including voter registration, ballot preparation and releasing results, though CHV has participated in coordinated elections with Arapahoe County since 2012, which has significantly increased voter turnout and reduced costs. Photo by Freda Miklin
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CHV Officerry Bailey, cleared in shooting deputy district attor- wounded in the leg and ankle. BY BECKY OSTERWALD MANAGING EDITOR
In a report that was released last week, Cherry Hills Village officer Cory Sack was justified in using his service revolver for self-defense during a home invasion Aug. 20, 2018. The report, prepared by Lar-
ney for the 18th Judicial District, said that Sack knew at the time he fired his weapon that he believed his life, as well as those in the residence in CHV were in imminent danger. It also provides additional details about the incident where injured Sack was
He responded to a 911 call and found the front door of the residence open. Although there were lights on in the home, the entry hallway was dark. He used his flashlight and spotted a suspect dressed in dark clothing who started firing at Sack who immediately returned fire
and was able to crawl out of the home before additional law enforcement officers arrived. Several RING videos were collected as evidence and show four men attempted to enter the home. Two were carrying pistols. There was approximately $15,000 stolen from the home, including cash and jewelry. Found at the scene was 13
cartridges from Sack’s handgun and eight cartridge cases from the suspects 9mm pistol. Angelo Alston, 17 was arrested Aug. 31, 2018. He was charged with 32 counts related to the shooting. The felony charges range from attempted murder of a peace office, kidnapping, burglary, robbery, assault with a deadly weapon, theft and menacing.
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