Sergeant is Aurora's officer of year
An Aurora police sergeant credited with solving to cold case murders in 2008 has been named the Exchange Club of Aurora's 48th annual "Police Officer of the Year."
Former Detective Matt Thomas, who is currently an Area Two Patrol Sergeant was recognized for his work solving the 1991 Maria Montano and 1981 Cheryl Lynn Hall murders.
Thomas credited the entire police department and advances in DNA and other forensic evidence gathering in solving both murders.
"Solving these cases was the result of ultimate teamwork from my colleagues to the FBI and other foreign agencies," Thomas said. "It is extremely fulfilling when you get breaks in the case and cooperation from witnesses that leads to justice for victims and some level of closure for the family."
Thomas said an emphasis was put on solving cold case murders in recent years when a new lieutenant came aboard the department and formed a task force of detectives to work solely on cold cases.
Hall was murdered on September 9, 1981, and even though a potential suspect was identified, he was not charged immediately due to lack of evidence. Thomas reopened that investigation in 2006 and after following new leads that had surfaced as well as submitting original evidence found at the crime scene for testing, he also devised a plan to collect DNA from the suspect who originally had been identified. After further forensics testing Larry Galloway, 46 and a former co-worker of Hall's husband, was charged with Hall's murder in August.
Ten years after Hall's murder, Montano went missing and due to a lack of evidence, no one was ever charged until Thomas also reopened the investigation in 2006. Working with federal and Mexican authorities, Thomas was able to cultivate leads that led to the woman's husband, 52-year-old Aurelio Montano being charged with her murder in June 2008 even though her body has never been found.
"It all goes back to getting some level of justice for the victim and not giving up," Thomas said. "I know (solving the cases) are not the ultimate justice but it's the best I can do."