Florence Police Department - Colorado

10/22/2026

🚧 WORK ZONE SAFETY IS EVERYONE’S RESPONSIBILITY! 🚧

Work zones are established to protect the safety of our employees, the public, the Contract workers and everyone traveling through the area.

Where established work zones are active, signs are posted, roads are closed, and/or barricades are in place, they are not suggestions they are enforceable violations of the law if ignored. They are there to keep people safe.

Driving around barricades, ignoring posted signs, or entering restricted work areas puts lives at risk. Our employees deserve to do their jobs without worrying about someone entering an area that has been clearly marked as unsafe.

We understand that road work and closures can be frustrating, but no destination is worth risking someone’s life.

Please slow down, pay attention, follow all posted signs, and respect barricades. A few extra minutes of patience can make all the difference.

Respect the signs. Respect the barricades. Protect the people behind the work.

10/21/2026

NOTICE:
*** 3:32 10/21/2026 The Florence Police Department and City Hall are BACK OPEN
We appreciate your patience!

Attention!!! The Florence Police Department and City Hall have been evacuated due to a possible gas leak in the area,we will keep you update!

10/21/2026

Thank You for Participating in Our DEA National Take Back Event!

Thank you for helping us keep our community safe by participating in our Medication Take Back Event!

As a reminder, we cannot accept vapes containing batteries or inhalers.

Medications may be disposed of in their original containers, or you may remove the medication from its container and place it directly into the disposal box. Liquid medications, such as cough syrup, must remain sealed in their original containers.

We appreciate your support and your commitment to keeping our community safe!

10/21/2026

🚨 PUBLIC ASSISTANCE REQUESTED 🚨

The Florence Police Department is asking for the public’s help in identifying the individual pictured below in connection with an ongoing investigation.

If you recognize this individual or have any information that may assist our officers, please contact the Florence Police Department.

We appreciate the community’s continued support and assistance in helping keep Florence safe.

Please share this post to help us reach more people.
Please contact Dispatch 719-792-6411

Thank you for your help!

10/21/2026

*****located*****located*****located*****
Thank you all for your assistance. Phillip has been located.

Please BOLO for Phillip Scott Chase. Phillip hasn't been seen since October 1st, 2026. If you see him or know his whereabouts, please call 719-792-6411 reference Case # 2026-00006061. Thank you for your assistance.

10/14/2026

10/08/2026

******UPDATE******10/12/2026******
Records staff will be attending training out of town. If you need further assistance you can contact 719-784-3411 or send an email to [email protected] Colorado.org

Records Office Closure Notice

The Florence Police Department Records Office will be closed beginning Tuesday, October 13 at 12:00 PM.

The Records Office will reopen on Monday October 19th at 7:00 AM.

We apologize for any inconvenience and appreciate your understanding. Thank you!

09/29/2026

Toby Bethel reflects on a day that changed his life forever

By Charlotte Burrous

In the aftermath of 911, Fremont County had its own tragedy to contend with just 17 days later.
It started out as a normal day for Fremont County. When Deputy Sheriff Jason Schwartz was sent out on a call to Penrose, he found twin brothers Joel and Michael Stovall had shot and killed a dog. Deputy Schwartz and Deputy Escobel handcuffed the twins, but did not search them. The two deputies put the twins in the back of the vehicle and began transporting them to jail. During the ride, one of the twins shot Schwartz several times in the head. He later died in the hospital.
In the meantime, Florence Police Cpl. Toby Bethel had a day off on Sept. 28, 2001, and was enjoying an evening with his family. During this time, the twins drove the police car across U.S. 50 to Florence.
“I guess they put on bulletproof vests, a helmet and stuff like that,” Toby said. “They get their AK47; they get their SKS and they get ready to get out of here, I guess. I was at home with Misty and got the call that Deputy Schwartz had been shot in the head and probably wasn’t going to make it.”
Although it was his night off, when he got the news of the shooting, he got dressed and drove his vehicle to pick up Officer Eric Baker at the police department. He drove to the trailer park, where the twins were leasing a trailer.
“We were just going to back off and just watch,” Toby said. “If we saw them, we were going to call the SWAT team to take them. As I drove up to the space number, I tell Eric there it is. I saw some shadows off to my side, but I didn’t think anything of it. As I drove by a red pickup, I remember hearing (the shots). I remember feeling the burn in the middle of my back and looking over at Eric and said, ‘oh no, they got us, didn’t they?’”
He drove out of the trailer park, through a chain link fence across Third Street through a plowed hayfield into a tree. Soon as he got shot, he said he felt the burn in his back and probably “went into shock immediately,” he added.
“Come to find out, they shot me with an AK47; shot me twice in the middle of my back, once in my shoulder and once in my arm,” Toby continued. “I remember, trying to reach the top of the car and pull myself out the window then I went unconscious.”
The next thing he said he remembered is hearing the late Chief Gene MacKinnon, of the fire department saying ‘Toby, hang in there. Toby, we’re going to get you out of here. I remember it, but I don’t. The next thing I know I remember hearing John Wysong. I was in the ambulance. I remember waking up and see John. I remember saying, ‘I’m going to die, aren’t I?’ He yelled at me and said, ‘not in my ambulance, you’re not.’”
At that point, Toby was taken to St. Thomas More Hospital, where they operated on him all night long. Then he was transported with Flight to Life to St. Anthony Central in Denver, where he remained for about a month until he was transferred to Craig Rehabilitation Hospital. That’s where he learned to use the wheel chair.
But he remains hopeful.
“I look back and stuff happens to people, Bethel said. “With this, I’ve learned how to live being paralyzed. It’s not been an easy life, but there are people out there that live a rough life. God has been good to me.”
Best of all, his family has stood by him and has been a huge comfort to him.
When the incident happened, Bethel’s parents, Kenneth and Sharon Bethel were camping in Missouri when they got the call at 3 a.m. They packed up and drove to St. Louis and purchased airplane tickets to Denver.
“We walked in and told them what happened,” Kenneth said. “They said ‘come with us.’ TWA got us two tickets to Denver, that quick. Amazing.”
They didn’t have to go through the check lines and stand around for hours.
“They walked us through,” Kenneth added. “We got to the hospital and he was still coherent. He said he doesn’t remember, but he talked some. We stayed with him for six months. He went to Craig and I got to stay with him, especially in Craig. He had to roll over every two hours. I got the night shift to help turn him over. All the people, the police department, law enforcement were amazing with support for him. It’s quite a brotherhood, isn’t it Toby,” who agreed with his father.
It was the same for his wife, who was with him the whole time along with their four children.
“Misty stayed and my four kids,” Bethel added. “I’ve got 12 grandkids. I’ve got this business now. It’s Misty’s business. I’m the manager. Things are good. I’ve got my whole family out here with me.”
He and Misty recently opened Mattress by Appointment at 115 E. Main St. in Florence.
Toby continues to look forward to the future.
“Sometimes life beats us up,” Bethel said. “We’ve just got to do the best we can. We opened this business up here in Fremont County because this is home. I just hope people will come in and use what we’ve got going. We did it for Fremont County. It’s home.”

09/28/2026

Today marks 25 years since Officer Toby Bethel made a profound and selfless sacrifice for his community and for the fellow officers he served beside.

Officer Bethel demonstrated exceptional courage and commitment, facing danger with the steady resolve and strength that defined his career. His actions protected others, upheld the values of his department, and left an enduring impact on everyone who worked with him.
Officer Bethel’s dedication continues to inspire the community he served and the colleagues who carry forward his spirit of service. His bravery and integrity remain a powerful reminder of what it means to put others first.

Thank you, Officer Toby Bethel, for your service.
Your sacrifice, leadership, and unwavering devotion to duty will always be remembered.

09/28/2026

Today, we honor the memory of Fremont County Sheriff’s Deputy Jason Schwartz, who was tragically killed in the line of duty on September 28, 2001.

Deputy Schwartz served his community with courage, compassion, and an unwavering commitment to protecting others. His sacrifice remains one of the darkest and most defining moments in our region’s law‑enforcement history, and we stand with the Fremont County Sheriff’s Office, his family, and all who continue to carry his legacy forward.

We remember Jason not only for how he died, but for how he lived — with integrity, dedication, and a servant’s heart. His name, his service, and his sacrifice will never be forgotten.

Rest easy, Deputy Schwartz. We have the watch.