Man receives 128-year sentence for shooting, injuring Littleton police officer

Photo byArapahoe County Sheriff

Heather Willard / Sept. 26, 2023

(Littleton, Colo.) An Arapahoe District Court judge sentenced a man to serve 128 years in the Department of Corrections after he was convicted earlier this year by a jury of shooting and seriously injuring a Littleton Police Department officer on Sept. 20, 2021.

Rigoberto Valles-Dominguez, 35, was found guilty by a jury in July of committing over a dozen offenses, including two counts of attempted first-degree murder after deliberation and two counts of first-degree murder with extreme indifference.

According to court documents, officers responded to the area of West Powers Avenue and South Bannock Street at about 11:30 p.m. just over two years ago on reports of shots fired from a car window. Officers located a suspect, later identified as Valles-Dominguez, walking away from the area. He fled when officers tried to apprehend him, running toward a nearby apartment building according to court records.

While fleeing, Valles-Dominguez used a handgun to fire multiple rounds at the chasing officers, ultimately striking Officer David Snook seven times, hitting his torso, arm and leg. Snook and Corporal Jeff Farmer returned fire and Valles-Dominguez escaped.

In May, Farmer received the Medal of Valor from President Joe Biden in a ceremony held at the White House. The award commemorates Farmer’s actions in helping save Snook.

“Most people run away when shots are fired. These officers ran towards the sound of danger at great personal risk, to protect each other and our community. I’m grateful for their service and heroism,” District Attorney John Kellner said. “A lengthy prison sentence is appropriate and necessary to ensure the safety of our community.”

The jury found Valles-Dominguez guilty of:

• Two counts of attempted first-degree murder after deliberation
• Two counts of attempted first-degree murder with extreme indifference
• Two counts of aggravated robbery
• Prohibited use of a weapon
• Assault with a deadly weapon causing serious bodily injury
• First-degree assault with extreme indifference
• Two counts of first-degree assault on a peace officer
• Two counts of violent crime sentence enhancers

“The defendant’s actions showed no regard for human life,” Chief Deputy District Attorney Jason Siers said. “While Officer Snook suffered serious injuries, it’s a miracle no one was killed.”