Karen Garner, woman forcibly arrested by Loveland officer in 2020, has died

Karen Garner, the woman suffering from dementia whose arrest by Loveland polices officers in 2020 sparked change within the department, has died at 76.

Garner died peacefully Monday from complications from dementia, her family said, an illness they say worsened after she was violently arrested by Loveland police officers in 2020, when she was 73.

Garner's family hopes she is remembered "as a vibrant, creative woman who loved life and enjoyed the simplicity of taking a walk and picking wildflowers," Garner's daughter-in-law Shannon Steward wrote in a social media post Wednesday.

Garner was picking flowers on the side of the road while walking home June 26, 2020, when she was stopped by a Loveland police officer who was investigating a reported petty theft. Garner didn't understand what the officer was saying because of her dementia, and the officer forcibly arrested her, breaking her arm and dislocating her shoulder, her family said.

Garner's story became international news after her family filed a civil lawsuit against the department in 2021. Four of the officers named in that civil lawsuit — the arresting officers Austin Hopp and Daria Jalali, community service officer Tyler Blackett and Sgt. Philip Metzler — all resigned.

Hopp was later sentenced to five years in prison after pleading guilty to second-degree assault in arresting Garner. Jalali was sentenced to 45 days in jail and three years of probation after pleading guilty to failing to intervene in this incident.

Garner's family settled the civil lawsuit with the city for $3 million.

Internal and independent investigations into this case led to changes in the department and county-wide, including changes with the 8th Judicial District's protocol for investigating police use of force cases.

"On behalf of her three children and nine grandchildren, we want to thank each and every one of you who fought for justice for her or just sent thoughts and prayers on her behalf," Steward wrote in her social media post.

More: Intervening bystander in Karen Garner arrest recognized as only one who 'did the right thing'

A celebration of life for Garner will be held Sunday, Dec. 3 at 4 p.m. at the Loveland Foote Lagoon. The memorial is hosted by Loveland Justice League, a group formed by residents to advocate for change in the city after Garner's arrest.

In honor of dementia awareness, attendees are asked to wear purple. People can also bring cards or flowers for Garner's family, some of whom will be in attendance, according to the Facebook event. The event is open to all.

Garner was born in Dec. 30, 1946, in Illinois. Her family moved frequently, but she saw each move as a new adventure, according to Garner's obituary shared by Steward with the Coloradoan. After her children were grown, Garner left Colorado to travel for a decade, visiting Thailand, Pakistan, Malaysia, Hong Kong, Australia, England, Germany and Canada, making life-long friends. When she moved back to the U.S., she decided to settle in Loveland to be close to her daughter and grandchildren.

Garner loved arts and crafts and shared that love with her family through cake decorating, making holiday crafts, sewing, cooking and canning. Garner used her arts and crafts skills to make her three children and nine grandchildren quilts made from their saved jeans for their graduations.

During the holidays, Garner would decorate her home with more than 200 Santa decorations, including a life-sized Father Christmas and a rotating tree of Santa ornaments. Garner was also "tiny but tough," according to her obituary, learning Taekwondo and loving motorcycles.

After her violent arrest in 2020, Garner developed PTSD on top of her early onset dementia, and she was never the same, her family said in her obituary. The tragedy of her case brought many in and around Loveland "to call for accountability in their community, including inspiring individuals to get more involved in their local government," Garner's family wrote in her obituary.

"Although social media can be a forum for negativity, it afforded us love and support from people around the world while we fought to get justice for her," Garner's family said in her obituary. "Our hope is that these ripples continue."

Celebration of life for Karen Garner

When: Sunday, Dec. 3 at 4 p.m.

Where: Foote Lagoon, 500 E. Third St., Loveland

What: There will be a short ceremony, which will include speakers to talk about Garner's life, to honor her and what her and her family have done to help the Loveland community. Attendees are asked to wear purple in honor of dementia awareness, and people are welcome to bring flowers or cards for Garner's family. There will also be a balloon release at Garner's request.

Who: All are invited but are reminded this is a peaceful celebration and attendees are asked to be respectful. This is hosted by the Loveland Justice League. Some members of Garner's family will also be in attendance.

For more about the event, visit facebook.com/events/305732045759453/?ref=newsfeed.

This article originally appeared on Fort Collins Coloradoan: Karen Garner, woman forcibly arrested by Loveland officer in 2020, dies