On the night of April 16, 1994, a domestic dispute escalated into a tragedy that claimed the life of 26-year-old Boulder Police Officer Beth Haynes. The events began to unfold when a man, later identified as Ali Kalamy, abducted another man in Denver and forced him to drive to Boulder. The captive was able to escape and notify the authorities. Kalamy's target was a former girlfriend who had ended their relationship.
Officer Haynes was dispatched to the Eastpointe Apartments at 1590
Eisenhower Drive shortly after midnight. There, she encountered Kalamy in the parking lot. As she took cover and gave commands, a bystander inexplicably walked into the dangerous scene, heading towards a nearby vehicle. Despite the officer's orders to seek safety, the individual remained in the open.
In an act of selfless courage, Officer Haynes moved to shield the bystander from potential harm. It was at this moment that Kalamy opened fire, striking Haynes in her hand and armpit, just above her protective vest. Though wounded, she managed to return fire, striking Kalamy multiple times. However, her service weapon then malfunctioned. Kalamy then approached and fatally shot her in the head. As other officers began to close in, Kalamy, weakened by the gunshot wounds inflicted by Haynes, took his own life. The suspect's death at the scene concluded the immediate investigation, leaving a community to mourn the loss of a dedicated officer who had been with the department for three years.
