Talley had a master’s degree in computer science and, at one time, a reliable job in information technology. However, he left his IT job in 2010 to become a police officer after one of his friends was killed in a DUI crash. Said Herold, “He didn’t have to go into policing. He had a profession before this, but he felt a higher calling. He’s everything that policing deserves and needs. He cared about this community. He cared about the Boulder Police Department. He cared about his family.”
A woman named Kristin who identified herself as Talley’s sister said on Twitter, “My heart is broken. I cannot explain how beautiful he was and what a devastating loss this is to so many. Fly high my sweet brother.”
Others have tweeted stories about how Talley served his community during his career as a police officer. One woman shared that he was one of the officers who responded when her abusive ex-boyfriend was threatening her one night in 2013. “While the other officers were outside reading my abuser his rights, Officer Talley was kind enough to stay with me until a friend could come get me,” she said. “To this day I credit Officer Talley for saving my life.”
TW: In 2013 I called 911 when my abusive HS/college ex boyfriend showed up uninvited pounding on my door threatening me outside my apartment in Boulder. One of the officers to respond & help that night was Officer Eric Talley. He stayed with me throughout the entire ordeal- pic.twitter.com/9Wm95CK9qQ
— Annabelle Marie (@NabbieBelle) March 23, 2021
Daily Camera reporter Mitchell Byars shared on Monday that in 2013, he had written a story about how Talley was one of three police officers who rescued 11 ducklings and their mother from a drainage ditch in South Boulder.
“I only just realized that he tried to rescue the ducklings a short walk away from the store where he died today,” one Twitter user responded. “What an absolute tragedy.”
Monday evening, members of the Boulder community gathered near the scene of the shooting to watch a procession of police cars and emergency vehicles honoring Talley and escorting his body from the scene.
“He was a man of heart who loved his job,” said Homer Talley, who also noted, “Didn’t surprise me he was the first one there.”
Anyone with information about the shooting or the suspect should call the Boulder Police Department at 303-441-3333.
Images from the procession that took #Boulder police Officer Eric Talley’s body away from the scene (pics via @TimothyFHurst) pic.twitter.com/I6AqgL6MNv
— Mitchell Byars (@mitchellbyars) March 23, 2021
Correction: This article originally misspelled the name of the youngest victim.
