AURORA - Doug Byrne was remembered Monday as a police officer who died as he had lived: in service to others.

"He was responding to help someone," said Capt. Jack Daluz, of the Aurora Police Department.

Officers from Glendale and Aurora gathered at Aurora's Fallen Officer Memorial to pay their respects to Byrne, 37, about 12 hours after he died on duty.

The spirit of service and sacrifice marked Byrne's career from his first days on patrol, when he was a Glendale police officer. He and three other officers earned honors for trying to evacuate residents from the 58-unit Spanish Gate apartments during an arson Dec. 28, 2003.

One woman died on her fifth- story balcony as would-be rescuers on the frozen ground assured her that help was coming.

About 100 people were saved, some on their own and others by rescuers.

"He put his life on the line then to save others, just like he did (Sunday) night," Glendale Police Chief Victor Ross said. "They all stayed in the building until they were ordered out."

An Aurora officer since 2004, -Byrne died about 2 a.m. Monday, about six hours after he was thrown from his car while rushing to the aid of an ill man. Some of the same officers who mourned him Monday afternoon had stood vigil past midnight in the halls at Swedish Medical Center.

"We suffered a great loss," said Aurora Police Chief Daniel Oates, whose voice broke as he lamented the life abruptly ended. "Doug was a great officer."

Oates said that Byrne "was a hometown boy" who graduated from Gateway High School, served in the Marine Corps during the Persian Gulf War in 1991 and joined the Glendale police force.

Ross described Byrne as a model officer who moved up through the ranks, making friends with his sense of humor.

Success followed Byrne to his hometown department in Aurora, where he served as a field training officer for recruits green to the force, Daluz said.

"As an FTO, he could connect with anyone," he said. "He always had a smile on his face. He liked to come to work. He was always an upbeat guy."

Officer Ed Matthews said he was ending his Sunday shift when he saw Byrne for what would be the last time.

"The last thing I told Doug was to be careful," he said.

Oates said that Byrne's family has begun to arrive for funeral services, which will be announced as they are scheduled. He said the family did not want to speak publicly Monday.

garnerj@RockyMountainNews.com or 303-954-5421.