I met  Denver  in June of 1967 when I interviewed for the position of Police Officer for the city of  Thornton, CO.   Denver hired me and thus began my  23 year journey  in law enforcement at " The Big T".
The department consisted of 7 officers,  2 dispatchers and  1 dog catcher.
We had four cars, two '66 Fords and two '67 Ramblers..
Denver was a fine chief.   A great man.  A good friend.   An honest person.
He will never be forgotten.

Joel Sidell
Thornton Police, retired '90
Mesa Airline, retired '06


when Denver was the Chief of police in Thornton, CO, he hired me as a dispatcher. I was 24 and had worked for the water dept and was a volunteer for the fire dept. I got to know Denver through the fire dept and he encouraged me to apply for the dispatch position. I believe that because of Denver's tutelage I was promoted to patrol 5 months later.  He has my deepest respect. 
My condolences to his wife and other family members.
Jim Hogan -- Thornton, CO 

I entered Law Enforcement in Sept. 1963; Denver became my 3rd Chief less than a year later at Thornton, CO PD. He immediately became my hero with his calm/cool/collected demeanor, e.g.,  while busy in his office adjacent to the dispatcher’s area one day the officer who was dispatching was cleaning a 12 gage shotgun & discharged a round of 00 Buckshot through the ceiling/roof & always cool Denver responded without leaving his seat, “I trust nobody is hurt out there.”

Some of Denver’s “wonder-lust” rubbed off on me & I followed him to Kwajalein in 1968. Loved him like a brother & will always cherish his memory; praying God’s grace on family & friends.

Fair winds and following seas sailor.
"Boatswain... Standby to pipe the side... Shipmate's going Ashore..."

Thank you for your service to this nation.


Denver was a good man with a great smile. My Dad worked for him while he was sheriff. He provided  photos and stories while I was researching the history of the sheriff's office. It was always a joy to chat with him. Thoughts are with the family. He will be missed.

These are very sad times, losing my oldest surviving brother. I was the youngest of six boys.
On our parents' small farm high on a hill in Clifty, Arkansas where I was born in 1934, I was told that I followed Denver most everywhere at a very young age (2-3)...calling him "Bum Bum" (brother).
I still have a scar near my left eye, I reminded him recently, when he was chopping wood and I walked too close behind him (and his double-bladed axe). No doctors near, so my mom patched me up from that "close call" of nearly losing an eye.
When grown, I followed all of my brothers by serving In the Military (Navy for me) and we all returned home safely. Denver's later life, Sheriff, etc. was long, full and successful.
He will be missed, like all of my "Bum Bums" (Bland Brothers). Gene

OBITUARY

Denver Bland

May 26, 1926 – February 2, 2020

Resthaven Mortuary & Gardens of Memory

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