Fundraiser for Former Officer Cem Duzel

Police Foundation of Colorado Springs is excited to announce a 2022 fundraising effort for the benefit of former officer Cem Duzel and his fiancée, Layne who are going to be married in August. Details will be shared at a press event on March 2, 2022 at 11 a.m. at the Pioneers Museum gazebo.

On August 2, 2018, officers responded to a call for shots fired. Officer Cem Duzel was one of the first officers arriving on scene and approached the suspect. At that time, the suspect began firing shots at Officer Duzel and he was hit with one single shot to the head. This was a life-changing event and Duzel spent months in a local hospital and then a year at a rehabilitation hospital in Denver before being released to his family home in New York to continue daily strenuous physical and challenging speech therapies.

At the Medal of Valor Luncheon, which was held in November of 2019, Officer Duzel was awarded the Purple Heart and Medal of Honor for his courage and heroism in stopping an active threat in a neighborhood before the suspect could harm innocent community members. Duzel continues to improve each day as he works hard toward his new normal. Unfortunately, due to the severity of his injuries, Cem was medically retired from the Colorado Springs Police Department.

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We are so happy to share that Duzel recently proposed to his longtime girlfriend, Layne. During this very exciting time for the couple, they have chosen to make Colorado Springs their home. It is simply amazing that one of our true heroes of the Colorado Springs Police Department and community, who experienced a horrific life-changing event while doing a job he loved, has chosen to return to Colorado with his bride to be, Layne.

Police Foundation of Colorado Springs is creating a fundraising effort to show the couple just how much we, as a community, appreciate his sacrifice. We have come together to help them with the cost of their upcoming wedding and honeymoon. One hundred percent of all donations , whether by mail or on the website, will go to the couple. Click the "Special Fund" tab on the Donate page of the PFCS website for these donations and the mailing address is 10 Lake Circle, Colorado Springs, CO 80906. If a donation is made by check, please write “Cem and Layne” on the memo line.
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A press conference is scheduled for Thursday, March 2, 2022, at 11:00 am in the Gazebo at the Pioneers Museum. Those making remarks are Nicole Magic, President/Executive Director of Police Foundation of Colorado Springs, City of Colorado Springs Mayor John Suthers, Colorado Springs Police Department Chief Vince Niski, 4 th Judicial District Attorney Michael Allen and El Paso County Sheriff Bill Elder. The media and public are invited and refreshments will be available. In case of inclement weather, this event will be held in the Courtroom inside the Pioneers Museum and will not be open to the public. For more information about this fundraising effort, please contact Nicole Magic at (719) 577-7094 or by email at info@policefoundationofcoloradosprings.org.