Washington Park East Neighborhood Association

DECOY SNAGS SUSPECT IN S. GAYLORD CASE �

Jan 20, 1999

The Washington Park East Neighborhood Association salutes the Denver Police Department, the District 3 Impact Unit, and the officers involved in an undercover operation in Washington Park.
Physical and sexual assaults were reported on three occasions last summer near the South Gaylord Street business district. To catch the suspect, Officers Kara Bilstein and Shana Stone acted as decoys while back-up officers provided surveillance from an undercover vehicle. Officer Bilstein was attacked within view of the other officers and suffered two broken ribs and a shoulder injury. Her alleged assailant, William Graham, was identified as the suspect in the prior assaults. Felony charges were filed on Graham, a registered sex offender, in all four cases. Graham pleaded not guilty; his trial is scheduled for March 29.
Officer Bilstein received the Distinguished Service Cross and an official commendation ?¬for her willingness to volunteer as a decoy and place herself in danger so that more innocent victims would not be assaulted. . . . Her courageous actions led to a violent criminal being removed from our community.?®