Michele Wagner has been named the new chief of police in Golden, with the news first surfacing in a congratulatory Facebook post from the Lakewood Police Department on Wednesday. Wagner, a former Lakewood sergeant who most recently served as chief investigator for the First Judicial District attorney’s office, brings years of Jefferson County experience to Golden’s compact police force.
Investigative Background and Local Ties
Wagner’s résumé stretches from patrol work in Lakewood to high-level investigative work at the county level. As reported by Golden Today, she has moved through progressively senior roles, and a community resource profile identifies her as the First Judicial District’s chief investigator and LGBTQ liaison. That mix of local roots and investigative work adds up to hands‑on experience in both front-line policing and complex criminal cases.
Why the Hire Matters for Golden
Golden has been operating under interim leadership since January, when Chief Joe Harvey temporarily stepped away, and Deputy Chief Mike Hendershot stepped in, prompting the city to launch a search for a permanent chief. The timing raised the stakes. The leadership shuffle followed a difficult period for the department after last year’s on‑duty death of an officer, which chose a new chief a closely watched move for residents and city officials. The Denver Gazette previously reported on the earlier leadership change.
Lakewood’s Public Congratulations
In its Facebook post, the Lakewood Police Department praised Wagner and highlighted what it called her “commitment to community partnerships, transparency, accountability, collaborative leadership and community‑centered policing.” The post also pointed out that Wagner joins a long list of former Lakewood personnel who have gone on to lead other agencies. For the full message, see the Lakewood Police Department on Facebook.
Next Steps and Timing
Golden hosted public events in May to introduce finalists for the chief’s job and give residents a chance to weigh in on the candidates. Details about that finalists event were outlined by Golden Today. City staff will now handle the transition and formally announce Wagner’s start date. As of Wednesday, Lakewood’s Facebook note appears to be the first public indication that Wagner has been selected, and a Golden press release with a confirmed start date was not yet available at the time of reporting.
