Officer killed in crash remembered as family man, dedicated cop

The off-duty Colorado Springs police officer who died in a motorcycle crash Monday evening was a four-year veteran praised as a family man and a dedicated cop.

Michael Builta, 34, was married with three young children, a friend said.

Police say he was westbound on a 2008 Harley-Davidson Electra Glide on Barnes Road when an eastbound minivan made a left turn and the two collided about 5:30 p.m. at the intersection with Tutt Boulevard.

Builta was not wearing a helmet, and an autopsy determined he died of head injuries.

An 11-year-old girl in the minivan suffered a head injury and was in “stable” condition at Children’s Hospital in Denver, police said.

Her mother, 36-year-old Pei C. Lo, who was driving the van, wasn’t injured.

Drugs and alcohol were not believed to be factors in the crash, which remains under investigation. No citations have been issued.

“Certainly, the left turn can be viewed as the proximate cause of the wreck at this point, but we’re still trying to determine colors of lights” and follow-up with other drivers and witnesses, police spokesman Lt. David Whitlock said.

Builta’s death is the city’s 10th fatal traffic crash this year and the fifth involving a motorcyclist.  Last year, Colorado Springs had seven motorcycle deaths, the most in the state.

Tutt Boulevard and Barnes Road ranked 23rd on the city’s list of the Top 25 most dangerous intersections in 2008.

Builta enjoyed his challenging post patrolling the night shift at the Sand Creek substation, one the city’s most turbulent districts, colleagues said. His cool demeanor served him well on the police crisis intervention team, whose patrol officers work to stabilize volatile calls, like those involving barricaded suspects, before negotiators arrive.

“He had a patience that just didn’t quit. He’d get down to their level and just talk to them as a person, not a police officer.  He’d earn their trust,” said Officer Scott Evans, a close friend.

“He did everything he could to learn more about that stuff,” said Officer Jason Gasper, a two-year veteran who said Builta took him under his wing when the rookie was transferred to Sand Creek.

As a family man, Builta put his wife, Shari, and children first, Gasper said. Builta coached soccer for each of his kids — daughters Brittani, 13, and Beulah, 9, and 6-year-old son, Tony — a happy obligation that seemed to keep him on the soccer field “seven days a week, nine months a year.”

By Tuesday afternoon, dozens of friends had visited Builta’s public Facebook account to post memorials, recalling his easygoing nature and “smiling face.” Many said they were grateful for the time they spent together.

“The most valuable message I learned from you is that there is nothing more important than family,” one friend wrote.

Another said: “You were a great cop and an even better man.”

He was a member of the Blue Knights Motorcycle Club, current and retired officers who take frequent motorcycle rides together and raise money for charities.

Builta planned the club’s annual trip to Red River, N.M., over Memorial Day weekend. When club members reimbursed him for the expenses he incurred, he donated some of the money to the family of Thomas Heath, a fellow officer who died in a crash last month while off duty.

“Both were young men. Both were excellent police officers,” said Derek Powell of the Blue Knights. “It’s devastating. It’s like getting kicked in the gut.”

A recent string of serious accidents involving police officers also includes a June 28 crash that severely injured a motorcycle officer, Steven Davis, who remains in serious condition at Memorial Hospital.

“It’s put a lot of stress on our family, but it gives us a good opportunity to show the kind of commitment and dedication we have to the community to keep serving at our highest level,” Whitlock said.

Funeral arrangements are pending.

Contact the writer at 636-0366.