Coroner: Palmer Lake police chief committed suicide

The El Paso County coroner says the Palmer Lake police chief who died last week took his own life. via KRDO-TV Colorado Springs

[shocked]

I knew Dan, Palmer Lake Police Chief, and I find it so hard to believe that he took his own life. He was a good man, friend, teacher and officer. He will be missed. I will miss his friendship and smiling face.

[Monika]

I also knew Mr. Gilliana. He was my professor at Colorado Tech University. He was a great man and teacher, one of my faves. I cant believe he'd take his life. I know that many would miss him dearly.

[Regena]

This is so not like Dan ... I just can not let this sink into my head. Its so unbelieveable. my blessings go out to the family.

[Brett Tenazio]

I live one street over from him and heard the shot. He must've been outside because it was quite loud. We had the window open in our bedroom about three inches and immediately after the shot we heard a woman wailing. We called 911 and were told that help was on its way. A few minutes later police cars and a fire truck rolled into the neighborhood.

I didn't sleep well that night.

[Kimber B]

Dan Gilliana was a great man. I learned so much from him while getting my undergrad degree. He was a kind hearted man and had a great sense of humor. His loss is a great shock and he will truly be missed. May he rest in peace.

on the comment from "Brett Tenazio" - show some respect! Your comment was truly uncalled for. Regardless if you heard something or not - don't write it on a comment page talking about the mans death. Who cares if you didn't sleep well - a man died. Think before you post next time.

[Greg Zales]

“Dan the man” (as I called him) was not only a great Educator, he was also a mentor to many as well as a true friend. A brilliant and beautiful human being, who really cared about educating people and challenging them to push the limits of validity as well as change. He had a wonderful sense of humor that leveled the playing field of long/late evening classes. This is a great loss to everyone who new and loved him for the individual that he was. My heart felt prayers go out to his family for their loss.

[From A Friend]

A Poem For Dan and Family, I had the pleasure of being one of Dans first students at Colorado Tech, I can say my heart is heavy as my mind is also with his passing. He will always remain in my thoughts and heart, as i go forth and make him proud. He was a great man and mentor to me and i hear his voice saying you can do this girl. He was a very down to earth loving man and cared for all he came in contact with. Dan I am almost there like you said i could do it getting my Masters in Criminal Justice. I am proud to have had your guidance in life. Thank you from my heart to yours. Blessings to Janet and family. You two were a very great couple and teachers I Thank you.

Mary Frye that resonate from the Big Sky

Don’t stand by my grave and weep,
For I am not there.
I do not sleep.
I am a thousand winds that blow,
I am the diamond’s glint in the snow,
I am the sunlight on ripened grain,
I am the gentle autumn’s rain.
In the soft blush of the morning light
I am the swift bird in flight.
Don’t stand by my grave and cry,
I am not there,
I did not die.

[Palmer Lake Resident]

This underscores the serious problem suicide is in our culture. Many have died through suicide. There are support groups out there for families and friends. Heartbeat is one of these groups - in the Springs - meets first Tuesday of the month. Those who suffer the death of someone through suicide need support. It is a very heavy burden to carry alone. My thoughts and prayers go out to his family and friends.

[Brian Decarlo Jr]

Dan was an interesting person! I had worked with him in law enforcement and knew him personally. He had a personable side to him and could back stab someone at the "drop of a hat!" He was a very conflicted individual and I am sincerely sorry that his wife and family have to suffer as a result of his unresolved issues. I wish them courage and healing in the months and years to come.

[Brian Decarlo Jr]

I wonder how Nikki Tezak made Sgt., let alone interim chief of police. She is the most unstable and indecisive officer I have EVER known. May God help those poor people of Palmer Lake!!

[FAN OF NIKKI]

Brian Decarlo Jr wrote:

I wonder how Nikki Tezak made Sgt., let alone interim chief of police. She is the most unstable and indecisive officer I have EVER known. May God help those poor people of Palmer Lake!!

Well Mike Brennan had you not lost your job because you incompetent you would have see what Dan and so many of us other Law Enforcement professionals see. She works hard, loves what she does and did not take kind to you trying to get her fired because she knew more than you. Anyone who talks to her knows she knows she won't take crap from anyone, she sticks up for what is right and if you don;t like be a man tell her, not write your distorted views of her in a tribute to Dan she did great for Palmer Lake and gracefully gave it the man that earned, unlike you. you are sick.

[We know her]

You go girl, you did great for what you had to deal with. Just because some wanna be cop don't like your touch attitude towards defending woman does not make.... what was the word. oh ya unstable and indecisive, I could just laugh that little boys have nothing better to write to good man who killed himself. Wow, you even out shine the dead when it's not your place or their place to talk abut you I was sure this was about Dan Gilliana.

[Brian Decarlo OF OHIO]

Who are you to pass judgment on someone that she clearly don't know, if she does know I am sure you hate her because she does job and does it well. A real man would step up but his name to it or take it to her directly but I can see why you don't get along with her, you are man enough to confront a touch female and she must have hurt someone's little feelings, you pathetic jurk. Chief Gilliana is the one we are remembering, not some lame ass that could not get a chick.

[Darlene]

Kimber B wrote:

Dan Gilliana was a great man. I learned so much from him while getting my undergrad degree. He was a kind hearted man and had a great sense of humor. His loss is a great shock and he will truly be missed. May he rest in peace.
on the comment from "Brett Tenazio" - show some respect! Your comment was truly uncalled for. Regardless if you heard something or not - don't write it on a comment page talking about the mans death. Who cares if you didn't sleep well - a man died. Think before you post next time.

Kimber, I don't know "Brett Tenazio" and I wasn't offended by his comment that he "didn't sleep well that night." In fact, I think that comment showed compassion and concern for the person who was shot. If I heard a gunshot in my neighborhood followed by police and ambulance sirens, I would not be able to sleep either -- not for selfish reasons -- but out of concern and worry for another human being. I think you misunderstood Brett's feelings.