Kathleen Garcia was a 24-year-old Denver Police patrolwoman who was ambushed and killed on March 28, 1981. She had been on the force about six weeks when, after returning home from her shift in the early morning hours, an unknown assailant approached her patrol car. After a struggle she was shot once in the head, managed to exit the vehicle and collapse in her front yard, and was taken to Denver General Hospital where she later died.

Investigators found her service weapon missing from the scene and concluded the shooting was at close range. The homicide investigation identified a few individuals of interest and eventually led to the arrest of a neighbor who was tried, but the jury acquitted that person. The case remains officially unsolved, and Garcia’s name is listed among the department’s fallen officers.

If anyone knew Kathleen, saw activity near her home the night of March 28, 1981, or has information that wasn’t shared at the time, please come forward.