The Larimer County District Attorney’s Office has initiated an investigation into the conduct of a former Johnstown police sergeant who was fired after reporting for duty intoxicated in May. According to an October 7 investigation by 9NEWS, prosecutors did not learn until this week that the incident occurred within Larimer County’s jurisdiction, more than four months after it took place.
District Attorney Gordon McLaughlin told 9NEWS that his office had previously been informed of an officer’s termination but was unaware of the location and circumstances that could warrant a criminal investigation. McLaughlin expressed concern about the delay in notifying prosecutors and has taken steps to determine whether any criminal offenses occurred.
Prosecutors Learn of Incident Months Later
According to 9NEWS, Weld County District Attorney Michael Rourke contacted McLaughlin on Monday, October 5, to inform him that the incident involving former Sgt. William Ward occurred at a Johnstown Police Department substation in Larimer County.
McLaughlin said he subsequently contacted commanders of the Critical Incident Response Team (CIRT), a multiagency team that investigates certain incidents involving law enforcement officers. He also requested the department’s complete investigative file from Johnstown’s acting police chief, who provided the records.
The district attorney said investigators would examine the circumstances surrounding Ward’s conduct to determine whether criminal violations occurred. In an October 8 email to Johnstown Republic, Kylie Massman, communications and community engagement specialist for the Larimer County District Attorney’s Office, confirmed that Fort Collins Police Services will lead the investigation through CIRT. No timeline for completion has been announced.
Background: Sergeant Fired Following May Incident
As Johnstown Republic previously reported on August 29, Ward was terminated July 20 following an internal investigation into his conduct on May 28.
According to the Johnstown Police Department’s disciplinary action report, Ward arrived for duty shortly after 6 a.m. in full uniform, carrying his firearm and driving a town-owned police vehicle. Officers working under his supervision suspected he was intoxicated and confronted him about their concerns.
Ward voluntarily submitted to a preliminary breath test that registered a blood alcohol concentration of 0.107. A subsequent preliminary test registered 0.106. Additional testing at a Medicine for Business and Industry facility produced readings of 0.099 at 9:26 a.m. and 0.097 at 9:41 a.m.
During the internal investigation, Ward acknowledged consuming approximately 15 alcoholic drinks the previous evening before going to bed around 11 p.m.
The department sustained allegations that Ward violated policies prohibiting employees from reporting to work intoxicated or impaired and operating a department- or town-owned vehicle while intoxicated or impaired. The disciplinary findings resulted in his termination, but the report did not indicate whether the incident had been referred for a separate criminal investigation.
Questions About Potential Criminal Violations
In his interview with 9NEWS, McLaughlin explained that reporting for work intoxicated does not necessarily constitute a criminal offense. However, driving or possessing a firearm while intoxicated, depending on the circumstances, could involve violations of criminal law.
The disciplinary report documented that Ward arrived at work in a town-owned police vehicle while carrying his firearm. Investigators must now determine whether the available evidence supports any criminal allegations.
9NEWS also interviewed legal analyst Scott Robinson, who identified potential evidentiary challenges involving the breath test results. Preliminary breath tests generally cannot be used to establish a driver’s blood alcohol concentration as substantive evidence in a Colorado DUI prosecution, although other evidence may be considered.
The department’s findings and Ward’s termination addressed violations of employment policies, not criminal responsibility. No criminal charges have been announced in connection with the newly reported investigation, and its outcome remains undetermined.
District Attorney Criticizes Delayed Notification
McLaughlin strongly criticized the delay in bringing the incident to prosecutors’ attention, according to 9NEWS. He said the department should have requested an outside investigation or contacted the district attorney’s office when the incident occurred, expressing disappointment that neither prosecutor’s office had been informed sooner.
The delay raises questions about the department’s procedures for identifying and referring potential criminal conduct involving its own personnel. It remains unclear why an outside investigation was not requested earlier or who was responsible for decisions regarding notification of prosecutors.
Town of Johnstown Responds
In a statement provided to 9NEWS, Johnstown Communications Manager Samantha Knowlton said the Town’s decision to terminate Ward reflected its responsibility to the community and its obligation to ensure officers could safely perform their duties.
The statement addressed the disciplinary decision but did not explain why the incident had not been referred to prosecutors sooner. 9NEWS reported requesting additional clarification about the absence of a criminal investigation but had not received a response to that question before its report was published.
Johnstown Republic has separately contacted the Town of Johnstown seeking clarification about how the incident was handled, whether outside authorities were notified, what procedures govern potential criminal misconduct involving officers, and who oversaw the internal investigation and disciplinary decisions.
Investigation Continues
The Larimer County District Attorney’s Office confirmed October 8 that the investigation remains ongoing and no criminal charges have been filed. Massman said the office intends to share the investigation’s findings and any charging decisions following its completion. Investigators will also examine why the incident was not previously reported to prosecutors.
Johnstown Republic will update this report as additional information becomes available, including responses from the Town of Johnstown and further developments from the district attorney’s office.
Editor’s Note (October 8, 2026): This article was updated to include confirmation from the Larimer County District Attorney’s Office that Fort Collins Police Services is leading the investigation through the Critical Incident Response Team (CIRT). Additional information was added regarding the investigation’s status and the DA’s intention to share its findings and any charging decisions after the investigation concludes.
Editor’s Update (October 15, 2026): The Johnstown Police Department has acknowledged that its procedures were not followed in handling the May 28 incident involving former Sgt. William Ward. In an October 14 statement, the department confirmed that notification to the Larimer County District Attorney’s Office was delayed and that an outside investigation should have been conducted under department policy. Read Johnstown Republic’s follow-up coverage.
