Colorado State Patrol bids farewell to friend, chief

Retired Chief John N. Dempsey

The Colorado State Patrol lost a true friend, with the September 30 death of retired Chief John N. Dempsey, following a prolonged illness.

Dempsey, 68, began his career with the CSP in 1965 and first served as a trooper assigned to Grand Junction where he remained until 1972. During a career that spanned 30 years, Dempsey served as a sergeant in Broomfield and lieutenant in Pueblo before returning to Grand Junction as a Captain in 1978. He remained in Grand Junction until being promoted to the rank of major in July 1980, assigned to Denver Headquarters. Rising through the ranks, Dempsey promoted to the patrol's highest office when he became chief on March 21, 1983.

Dempsey's storied career included serving in various temporary capacities for Governors Richard Lamm and Roy Romer. He served as the acting director of the Colorado Bureau of Investigation, the acting director of the Colorado Department of Public Safety, and acting director of the Department of Corrections. Dempsey completed his career with the CSP when he retired on September 30, 1995.

During his career, Dempsey distinguished himself as a national leader in law enforcement, bringing forth and implementing innovative ideas and methods to improve traffic safety. He was a leader in the Management by Objectives philosophy for law enforcement management in the early 1980s. His leadership of the CSP and mentorship of many of the current CSP commanders is evident today and has left a legacy of saving lives and reducing traffic crashes throughout the state of Colorado.

"As a traffic safety professional, Chief Dempsey is considered a modern day pioneer in the use of technology and data to impact traffic safety in our state and nation," said current CSP chief Col. Mark Trostel. "Ours is an organization that celebrates its history and our heritage and reveres the contributions of our predecessors. He will be greatly missed by all of the members of the Colorado State Patrol." Dempsey is survived by his wife, Pam Sillars, former deputy director of the Colorado Department of Public Safety, and three daughters, including Jan Dempsey-Simkins of the Colorado Bureau of Investigation.

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