Father of slain man thanks community for support

OPEN LETTER TO THE COMMUNITY OF AURORA

FROM THE TEVES FAMILY. ALEX TEVES DIED IN THE JULY 20 SHOOTINGS

Chief Oates

Aurora Police Department

15001 E. Alameda Parkway

Aurora, CO 80012

Attn: Chief Oaks

Chief Oates,

I wanted to take a moment out of your busy day to send a letter to you, your team, and the citizens of the great City of Aurora, as well as the great State of Colorado. I lost my son in the theatre shootings on July 20th, it was, and continues to be, the most horrific time of my life. It is difficult to put into words how awful Caren, Tommy, Nick and I have felt since that fateful call but I be remiss if I didn’t take time out to thank you, and each and everyone of your team. The wonderful hospitality that you showed my family, relatives and friends over those terrible initial days was a God send. This has been an extremely difficult time for us as you can imagine and though we are completely grief-stricken and heartsick, most of which will not heal until we are able to join Alex with Jesus and our Lord in Heaven, the kindness and compassion that everyone has shown has surpassed any expectation that I may have had.

From the moment we arrived we were treated with dignity, respect, and kindness that was overly gracious and generous. I would like to specifically thank two angels on earth, our victim’s advocates, Sarah Graber and Autumn Shields. Without their guidance and love we would have never gotten through this period. Additionally, all of the team members led by Carole O’Shea were helpful and attentive. Steve and Nancy Travino from Ponderosa Valley Funeral Services were instrumental in helping guide us through the process so that we were able to have a very private and proper funeral for Alex. The hotel that we stayed in, Fairfield Inn and Suites by Marriott Aurora Southlands, helped us with all of our needs and allowed us to take over their conference room for five days, as well as never letting the press know we were staying there. Somehow though, they did let all of the surrounding restaurants know that we were there and each one in turn sent us dinner without asking for anything in return. We are also in the debt of Alex’s favorite brewery, The Copper Kettle Brewing Company on Valencia St., Denver, Colorado. The owners Kristen Kozik and Jeremy Gobien were kind enough to open their doors on the following Tuesday for our immediate family and close friends so we could have a private repast after we held his funeral. They were so diligent that we were able to share stories and fond memories of Alex for hours in a semi-public setting without the press ever knowing we were there.

In spite of all this help, we would not have made it through any of it without the guidance and love of Monseigneur Edward L. Buelt of Our Lady of Loreto Catholic Church in Foxfield, Colorado. Father Ed was a gift straight from God exactly when we needed him to be there. Father Ed helped us gain perspective and held (and continues to hold) our spiritual hand throughout this whole ordeal. The entire state of Colorado should be proud that this man is in their midst.

Everyone in your city and surrounding areas was respectful and helpful, as well as generous. Though this is the worst possible trauma any parent can hope to endure, the help and generosity made it much more bearable. I truly wish that none of this had happened but if it had to happen I can’t think of a more loving place than Aurora and the surrounding towns.

Please know that you will all hold a special place in our hearts.

Caren, Tommy, Nick and Tom Teves –

Family of Alex Teves, God rest his soul