Neil Gardner

Who is Neil Gardner?

Neil Garner was a seasoned Sheriff's Deputy assigned to Columbine High School as the school's Resource Officer (SRO) on 11-9-1997. Gardner also coached girls' softball at Columbine. He was employed as a Sheriff's Deputy under Ronald Beckham, John Stone, Russ Cook, and Ted Mink. After the Columbine shooting (1999), he was awarded the Medal for Valor -- the most honored award given by the Sheriff's Office. Gardner retired from law enforcement on December 27, 2006.

Neil Gardner was awarded the Medal for Valor

Gardner was a certified and experienced Sheriff's Deputy who was highly praised from the start of his career, which began in 1984. He was an excellent Deputy and was well-liked by everyone who knew him, including his co-workers, superiors, and the students and staff at Columbine High School. He performed exceptionally well under pressure and was great with people. One time, he helped a 90-year-old woman living alone in the mountains secure her home and followed up to see how she was doing. Gardner loved people, and the SRO position at Columbine was a perfect fit.

From the start of his career, Gardner was commended for his people skills, specifically his ability to create resolution and de-escalate situations with citizens. He was always a calm voice of reason in some of the most intense situations, a team player, and aware of how his actions affected others.

Neil Gardner earned plenty of praise

Gardner's experience as a Deputy

1984

Gardner began his career in law enforcement as a patrolman for the city of Aurora in 1984. Several months later, he moved to Jefferson County.

1988

In 1988, Gardner moved to detentions.

1992

In 1992, Gardner worked as a patrolman for the Jefferson County Sheriff's Office. He also expressed interest in becoming a school resource officer (SRO) should the program become available in his area.

This same year, Gardner responded to a situation where a suicidal man fired at Gardner, but Gardner did not return fire. The man was found dead from a self-inflicted gunshot wound. Gardner's supervisor said he "handled himself and did a good job helping maintain and control the situation," which was typical praise he received from his superiors throughout his career.

1994

In 1994, Gardner got into the Field Training Instructors (FTI) program. This experience greatly improved his performance as a Deputy.

One of his performance reviews from 1994 states:

"Maintains calm and self-control in all situations. Quickly restores order in each situation and takes command. Determines the best course of action and takes it. Willing to take well-calculated risks. Accepts the responsibility and subsequent consequences for decisions. Is open-minded and seeks constructive criticism."

All of his appraisal categories were rated in the "exceeds" or "distinguished performance" levels.

1996

In February 1996, Gardner met with a Sergeant about becoming a school resource officer and expressed an interest in community services.

When called to an apparent suicide in Genesee Park, he found a man had been shot in the stomach. All evidence suggested homicide. Although he hadn't yet joined the investigations unit at this time, he determined this was a self-inflicted gunshot wound to the chest.

1997

On November 9, 1997, Gardner officially became Columbine High School's resource officer (SRO) and was praised from the start.

Neil Gardner was praised as Columbines SRO

Neil Gardner was praised as Columbines SRO

Neil Gardner was praised as Columbines SRO

2001

On January 14, 2001, Gardner transferred to the Investigations Unit and was placed on the Crimes Against Children tam.

2002

On July 1, 2002, Gardner moved to the Detention Services Division, Court Security Unit, in the position of "Explosives Detection K-9 Handler." He also worked as a Juvenile Review Coordinator.

2006

On December 27, 2006, Neil Gardner retired from his career in law enforcement.

Gardner's missed handgun/shotgun qualifications

In his interview, Gardner said he thought he last qualified with his handgun in February 1999, but he knew that wasn't true.

From Gardner's interview:

"Deputy Gardner owned the above weapon [.45 caliber Sig Sauer semiautomatic pistol, Model P220] for eight years and per department policy, is required to qualify every three months. Deputy Gardner believed his last qualification was possibly February of 1999, however, could not be certain. Deputy Gardner reported at no time has he ever failed to qualify and normally qualifies with the rating of 'expert.'" (11k, p.8070)

Per department policy, Gardner was required to go to the shooting range 4 times per year with his handgun, and once yearly with his shotgun, where he would be scored on his shooting ability. All of Gardner's missed qualifications were the result of him not going to the range. He never failed a qualification.

The first time Gardner missed a handgun qualification was the third quarter of 1993.

The first time Gardner missed his yearly shotgun qualification was in 1995.

As of 11-10-1998, Gardner had missed 2 handgun qualifications in the last 12 months and had not qualified with his shotgun since March 1997. However, when he did go to the range, he shot at the Sharpshooter level.

Neil Gardner missed qualifications, but shot at the Sharpshooter level

In 1999, Gardner missed three quarterly handgun qualifications, including the last quarter. As of November 1999, he had not qualified with his shotgun in 2 years. He went a total of three years without qualifying with his shotgun.

As of 2005, Gardner had been consistently qualifying with his handgun and shotgun.

Neil Gardner qualified in the expert category

Gardner did not have a shootout with Eric Harris

It's reported that Neil Gardner had a shootout with Eric Harris at the West doors, but the suspect he described does not match Harris at all. Gardner only saw one suspect, so it's not possible that his description is the result of transference. Gardner's description mostly matches Klebold, but is nearly identical to the third shooter seen by other witnesses.

This potential third shooter was about as tall as Dylan, wore a backwards baseball cap, a white t-shirt, camouflage pants, and a mask over a pair of glasses, as reported by witnesses.

From Gardner's interview:

"At almost the same time, Deputy Gardner stated he then observed a suspect come to the double doors located at the Southwest entrance/exit of the high school. According to Deputy Gardner, the suspect then stepped outside the doors approximately two feet. Deputy Gardner described the suspect as a white male, in his late teens, early twenties, approximately 5'10 to 6'0" tall, with a "skinny" build. According to Deputy Gardner, the suspect had light colored hair, which would be approximately collar length and was wearing a white t-shirt and a dark blue 'flack jacket'. Deputy Gardner also recalled the suspect wearing a possibly dark colored ball cap, which was on backwards." (11k, p.8072)

Nothing about this description matches Eric Harris.

"Deputy Gardner related as the suspect had exited the Southwest entrance/exit of the building, he was in the process of positioning himself behind the rear area of a white Chevy Blazer, which was parked (facing North) adjacent from his vehicle. Deputy Gardner stated he was able to look through the windows of the white Blazer, during which time he was able to make the observations related to the suspect. While in that position, Deputy Gardner confirmed the suspect was holding a dark colored long rifle and what was described as a port of arms position. Deputy Gardner estimated he was approximately 60 to 70 yards from the suspect at this point.

Deputy Gardner stated as he observed the suspect, the aforementioned appeared to be 'fidgeting' with the weapon and subsequently pointed it in his direction. Deputy Gardner stated the suspect then fired two shots, one of which he believed struck the windshield of the white Blazer. Deputy Gardner stated he subsequently ducked down to take cover and then made a quick peek in order to maintain a visual of the suspect. At that point, Deputy Gardner described the suspect bent over the weapon 'fiddling' with it. Deputy Gardner did not know specifically what the suspect was doing with the weapon, but recalled the barrel of the rifle pointing in a downward direction.

At that point, Deputy Gardner moved to the front of the white Blazer, positioning himself behind the engine block. Deputy Gardner subsequently leveled his weapon over the hood of the white Blazer, at which time the suspect again brought the weapon across his body and pointed it in the direction of the deputy. Deputy Gardner stated at that time, he discharged his weapon, describing that action as four rapid shots. Deputy Gardner indicated he believed it was possible he struck the suspect with his first round, however, could not confirm that point. Deputy Gardner explained what led him to believe he possibly struck the suspect was the fact as he began firing his weapon, the suspect spun to his (the suspect's) right in a crotched position, completing a full 360 degree motion. Deputy Gardner stated based on the suspect's actions, he believed it was possible he had struck the aforementioned somewhere in the right shoulder area.

Deputy Gardner stated after discharging his weapon in the manner indicated, he then ducked back down, at which time the suspect again fired in his direction, which was described as a 'volley' of approximately 7 to 8 rounds. Deputy Gardner stated he believed many of the rounds passed over his head and was uncertain if anything was struck by the bullets.

After the suspect discharged the weapon in the manner indicated, Deputy Gardner again peeked up over the white Blazer and was unable to observe the suspect. Based on questioning, Deputy Gardner believed the suspect had returned inside the building." (11k, pp.8073-8074)

We know the suspect mostly matching Klebold's description shot rifle rounds at Gardner. Did Klebold borrow Harris' rifle? Or was it a third shooter?

Main interview [11k, pp.8067-8076]

You can read his interview here.

Neil Gardner interview transcript [p.11258-11251]

On this page you can read or download the interview transcript, and listen to or download the audio.

Neil Gardner's ballistics information

[Evidence, volume II, p.12174, 12203]

Shots fired by Neil Gardner

"The fired bullets in items #184, 315, 428, and 508 and the fired cartridge case in item #228 were all microscopically identified as having been fired by item #47 (Sig Sauer 45 auto caliber semi-automatic pistol)."

Handwritten next to this paragraph is: "Gardner"

Source: (Evidence, volume II, p.12203)

Gardner's 5 rounds - CBI/JCSO evidence # & description

We only have information on 5 of the 8 rounds Gardner fired:

CBI Item #184/JCSO #2238 - "One fired copper jacketed bullet."

CBI Item #228/JCSO #2720 - "Eight fired Speer 45 auto caliber cartridge cases."

CBI Item #315/JCSO #940 - "One fired 45 caliber bullet."

CBI Item #428/JCSO #746 - "One fired copper jacketed bullet."

CBI Item #508/JCSO #998 - "One fired copper jacketed bullet."

Where were Gardner's fired rounds recovered?

3 in the library (2 fired bullets; 1 live round)

1 in the West main doors (Source needed)

1 mushroomed fired bullet in front of the West doors

Discrepancies in Gardner's stories

Gardner's arrival time

The official timeline has Neil Gardner arriving in the parking lot of Columbine High School at 11:24 a.m. and this seems to be accurate. Witness Lindsie Macey called 911 at 11:22:50 a.m., and one minute and fourteen seconds into her call, she states, "uh, cops just pulled up." This would mean Macey saw a cop pull into the Columbine High School parking lot around 11:24:10 a.m. Gardner was driving an unmarked dark blue Crown Victoria that day, but he activated his lights and siren as he drove to the school from Clement Park.

We can trust that Gardner arrived at approximately 11:24 a.m. However, there are several things that don't add up with the rest of the events and timeline.

Gardner arrived and had the shootout at the West doors just as Harris and Klebold were making their way into the school. Gardner reported shots fired at 11:26 a.m. to dispatch. At this time, the shooting in the library had not yet occurred, but Gardner stated the library windows were all broken out when he arrived, which is not possible:

(Source will be provided here soon!)

Andy Martin, the campus supervisor who was with Gardner, also stated in a later interview that the library windows were already broken when they arrived:

(Source will be provided here soon!)

Note: it's unlikely that the library windows were already shot out since the shooting in the library had not happened yet and the suspects were just making their way to the library as Gardner arrived. It appears that the arrival times of many officers were altered. This is actually proven by comparing original Arapahoe documents to JCSO summaries. Several Arapahoe officers documented their arrival time as being 20 minutes prior to what JCSO printed in their final summary.

Gardner didn't say the library windows were broken upon his arrival right away. In his initial interview, Gardner didn't mention the library windows being broken. He only mentioned the West doors being shot out when he arrived.

(Source will be provided here soon!)

The suspects entered the library at approx. 11:28 a.m.

After the first shootout with Gardner, the suspects entered the library and that's when most of the murders took place. This lasted less than 15 minutes. Then, the shooters made their way down to the cafeteria, where they attempted to get one of their propane bombs to explode.

According to the timestamp on the cafeteria CCTV tape, at 11:43 a.m., Harris is seen firing over the railing on the lower cafeteria stairwell landing, attempting to shoot one of the propane tank bombs. At 11:46 a.m., a massive fireball erupts and spreads horizontally, which is seen by responding officers outside as well as victim Sean Graves, who is lying halfway in and out of the cafeteria door by the teacher's lounge.

An avid researcher has been able to prove that the CCTV time is 3 minutes fast. This means Harris fired over the railing at 11:40 a.m., and the fireball occurred at 11:43 a.m.

Gardner witnessed this fireball:

"As the perimeter was being established, Deputy Gardner recalled seeing a 'fireball' (explosion) in the 'lower commons area'." (11k, p.8074)

This fireball occurred after Gardner exchanged fire with the suspect and the suspect retreated into the building and after the library murders.

According to Jon Curtis, "Andy [Martin] told him (via the radio) Swat had entered the building right after the blaze in the cafeteria." Martin was in communication with officers. This puts SWAT in the building before 11:50 a.m.

There was a second shootout

According to Gardner, the suspect returned to the West doors a second time and shot at Unit #144 (Scott Taborsky) and then went to the library and was seen in the library windows. That's when the shootout between the suspect in the library and police occurred, while paramedics were trying to rescue wounded students down below.

"According to Deputy Gardner, approximately three or four Denver Units began firing in the direction of the suspect. Deputy Gardner recalled seeing the library glass windows breaking and believed there was continuous rounds fired by the Denver officers for approximately 15 seconds." (11k, p.8075)

This second shootout occurred at about 11:32 a.m., when dispatch can be heard stating that "71" is still "under fire." 71 was Gardner's unit number. If a suspect came back to the West doors and shot at Gardner just 5 minutes into the library massacre, but Harris and Klebold were seen together in the library the entire time until they went down to the cafeteria at 11:40 a.m., who was shooting at Taborsky and Gardner at 11:32 a.m.?

Did Gardner hit the suspect in the flack jacket?

Gardner said he thought he hit the suspect, who was wearing a kevlar vest.

A mushroomed bullet found in front of the West doors traced to Gardner's weapon supports this.

Gardner's mushroomed bullet found several feet in front of the West doors

Bullets don't mushroom and fall to the ground like this when they hit flesh. They embed themselves into the flesh, or they fragment. Bullets also don't mushroom when they hit random hard objects unless it's hard enough to be bullet-resistant, like kevlar, or another type of bulletproof vest.

The bullet you see above definitely hit something bulletproof. If Gardner's bullet hit something bulletproof (and it did), and he says he thinks he hit the shooter, the only logical conclusion is the shooter was wearing a bulletproof vest. This brings back the question of "who was the shooter Gardner exchanged shots with?" It wasn't Eric Harris.

Did Neil Gardner fire into the library?

In his initial interview, he said he never fired into the library. However, according to ballistics, he fired twice into the library and was physically present in the library when he cleared the chamber of his .45 Sig Sauer. Also, he told El Paso that he may have fired into the library when he saw the suspect in a white t-shirt and blue flack jacket.

El Paso, Case Core, p.44 Neil Gardner

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  Neil Gardner admits to El Paso he may have fired into the library
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Did Neil Gardner know Harris and Klebold?

Coming soon!

Why would Neil Gardner lie?

He wouldn't. Not on his own. The discrepancies in Gardner's stories don't match his personality, reputation, or lifelong work ethic working as a Sheriff's Deputy. One can only conclude that he was coerced into changing his story to fit someone else's narrative.

This page is a work in progress!