Jefferson County deputies remember Sgt. Dave Baldwin 3 years after he was killed in the line of duty

JEFFERSON COUNTY, Colo. – It has been three years since a Jefferson County Sheriff’s Sergeant was killed in the line of duty. On Thursday, deputies braved the freezing weather to pay their respects and honor his memory.

Jefferson County Sheriff Sgt. Dave Baldwin was on duty on his motorcycle and driving northbound on Highway 93 in Jan. 26, 2014, when the driver of a Saturn SUV tried to pass another vehicle in a no-passing zone.

The Saturn’s driver, Kenneth Hosch, 83, of Golden, crossed the double yellow lane and hit the deputy's motorcycle head-on, investigators said. The deputy was thrown from the Harley-Davidson. 

Although he was wearing his helmet and eye protection, Baldwin suffered fatal injuries and died at the scene.

“He died a hero, and many of the stories you’ve heard since then have been about his dedicated service to our community,” said a Jefferson County Sheriff’s Officer in a Facebook post shared on early Thursday morning.

The department created the video below, remembering the life of Sgt. Dave Baldwin:

The Sheriff’s Office also shared some photos of officers saluting their fallen brother on Highway 93 at the site where he lost his life:

“As Sheriff Jeff Shrader and Dispatch toned the announcement over the radio, deputies stood at attention on the side of the road to pay their respects while Dave's wife Crystal placed flowers on his cross,” the Facebook post stated. “Dave may be gone, but he will never be forgotten.”

But it wasn’t only the Sheriff’s Office paying their respects. The Colorado State Patrol Public Affairs account tweeted the following image to remember Baldwin.

It's been 3 years since we lost JCSO Sgt. Baldwin on Hwy 93. We will never forget Sgt. Baldwin or his efforts to improve traffic safety. pic.twitter.com/KZRu8CS05f

— CSP Public Affairs (@CSP_News) January 26, 2017

Baldwin was a strong supporter of the Colorado Department of Transportation’s program including Heat is On and Click It or Ticket.

The eight-mile stretch of Highway 93 from mile marker zero in Golden to Colorado State Highway 72 was named “Sgt. David M. Baldwin Memorial Highway" back in July of 2015.