Hundreds hold Colo. vigil for elk killed by police

[January 08, 2013]  BOULDER, Colo. (AP) -- The elk was honored with a makeshift memorial of candles, songs and stories.

Several hundred people attended a vigil Sunday in Boulder, Colo., for the elk that was killed by a police officer. It had wandered into a neighborhood, where it was fatally shot by an on-duty police officer.

The officer has said the elk appeared injured before he shot it. He has been placed on leave.

Police say an off-duty officer who had called in sick the night the elk was killed took the carcass home to be processed for meat. The Boulder Daily Camera reported Monday (http://bit.ly/WpKRmq) that officer has a website that offers taxidermy services.

The second officer also has been placed on leave. State wildlife officials are investigating.

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Information from: Daily Camera, http://www.dailycamera.com/

[Associated Press]

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