A Lakewood, Colorado, police officer killed in a shootout aboard a regional transit bus has been identified as 33-year-old Nic Graham, a department veteran whose career included major criminal investigations, training new officers, and community outreach.

Lakewood Police Chief Philip Smith identified Graham during a news conference Friday, remembering him as a dedicated officer whose death has devastated his family, fellow officers and the community.

Graham joined the Lakewood Police Department on January 14, 2019, after graduating from the department's police academy. He later served as a field training agent, helping prepare newly hired officers, before joining the department's investigations division.

He was assigned to the major crimes team, where he investigated cases involving homicides, domestic violence and stalking. Smith said Graham handled 322 cases, the highest caseload among investigators on the team.

In 2023, Graham received the department's Special Investigations Unit Wingman Award for his contributions to gang intelligence, investigative assistance and major swatting investigations. Outside his investigative duties, he participated in the department's Adopt a School program and once saved the life of a person suffering an overdose.

The shooting occurred Thursday, November 5, after Lakewood police began searching for a suspect connected to a hit-and-run crash near Kipling Street and West 13th Avenue. An officer later recognized the suspect boarding a Regional Transportation District bus near Colfax Avenue and Wadsworth Boulevard.

At approximately 6:32 p.m., officers approached the man aboard the bus, and he opened fire. Police returned fire, killing the suspect, identified as Gabriel Garcia, who was reportedly on parole.

Four Lakewood officers were shot during the exchange, including Graham, who later died from his injuries. A civilian was also wounded. Two officers and the civilian were subsequently released from the hospital, while another officer remained hospitalized as of Friday.

The First Judicial District Critical Incident Response Team is investigating the shooting, following standard procedures for officer-involved shootings.

Smith described Graham as kind, patient and empathetic, saying he consistently supported crime victims and offered assistance to his fellow officers. His death has prompted an outpouring of grief from the department and the Lakewood community.