A vigil held for an elk killed by a cop in Boulder, Colo. may be the first of its kind. Candlelight vigils are commonly held for victims of violence, including victims of gun violence, but it isn't often you hear about one held in memory of a wild animal. According to The Denver Post, the event held on Sun., Jan. 6, 2013 gave locals the unique opportunity to honor the deceased animal by singing and telling stories.
The on-duty Boulder police officer who shot the creature has been placed on paid administrative leave. Another police officer, who was off-duty at the time, was also placed on paid leave after he helped the first officer load the dead creature into a pickup truck to be "processed for meat," according to The Daily Camera. The elk had reportedly wandered into the residential neighborhood before being fatally shot by the officer. The bull elk was killed on Mapleton Hill.
The vigil held for the elk killed by a cop was organized so participants could "grieve, celebrate and find closure" in a public forum. Jim Riemersma was responsible for organizing the event, which was held near the location where the bull elk was killed on Mountain View Road. A memorial stands near the spot where the gentle creature was killed. Some locals considered the elk a "guardian," and he was known to the community for the past two years.
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