Safety Update: Boulder Police announce arrest in 2010 assault of sergeant
Contact: Laurie Ogden, Boulder Police, 303-441-3310
On Monday, June 2, Boulder police obtained an arrest warrant for Herbert Joseph Vallier, date of birth 05/09/1977, of unincorporated Santa Barbara County, California. He was arrested the same afternoon without incident by the Santa Barbara Sheriff’s Office. The warrant alleges four charges:
- Assault in the First Degree - Class 3 Felony
- Criminal Mischief - Class 1 Misdemeanor
- Resisting Arrest - Class 2 Misdemeanor
- Obstructing a Police Officer - Class 2 Misdemeanor
Bail was set at $500,000 by the approving judge.
On Oct. 16, 2010, Boulder police officers parked two marked police vehicles in the area of 11th and College streets to investigate a call when they learned that someone had cut the tires. Several witnesses observed a man cutting the tires with a knife. Sergeant Jim Byfield attempted to contact the identified suspect, who started running north along the 1100 block of 11th Street. The suspect assaulted Sergeant Byfield during a struggle and Byfield suffered serious injuries, including a concussion, broken elbow and broken clavicle. The suspect was last seen running between houses in a northwest direction. A knife was located in the area of the assault.
Sergeant Byfield was transported to a local hospital where he was treated and released, but underwent months of rehabilitation before returning to duty. Sergeant Byfield retired in 2013 after 32 years of service to the Boulder community.
Using information obtained from concerned community members, Mr. Vallier was identified as the suspect. Corroborating information was obtained in recent weeks that led officials to seek an arrest warrant. Interim Boulder Police Chief Greg Testa stated, “Jim Byfield is happy and relieved with the arrest. This arrest wouldn’t have been possible without the public’s help.”
The case number is 10-12845. Anyone with information is asked to contact Detective Kurt Foster at 303-441-4329. Those who have information, but wish to remain anonymous, may contact the Northern Colorado Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477) or 1-800-444-3776. Tips can also be submitted through the Crime Stoppers website. Those submitting tips through Crime Stoppers that lead to the arrest and filing of charges on a suspect(s) may be eligible for a cash reward of up to $1,000 from Crime Stoppers.