A Douglas County jury awarded more than $24 million to a New Jersey man who alleged a former Parker Police Department detective wrongfully arrested and prosecuted him after a fatal shooting involving his son.

The jury found former Det. Shannon Brukbacher liable for the false arrest and malicious prosecution of Robert Dial on Tuesday.

In 2022, Dial’s son, Cameron Dial, was arrested in connection with a shooting at the Stone Canyon Apartments in Parker. He later pleaded guilty to manslaughter and is incarcerated in the Colorado Department of Corrections. 

According to court records, Dial spoke with his son by phone shortly after the shooting and urged him to seek medical help for the victims. He also arranged for a Colorado attorney to represent his son.

Robert was living in New Jersey at the time and was not present during the shooting.

Brukbacher later filed an affidavit stating that Dial instructed his son to hide the gun, an accusation Dial denied. Dial alleged that Brukbacher relied on statements from a witness whose accounts were inconsistent and contradicted by physical evidence.

Dial was arrested on the jetway at Denver International Airport in May 2022 as he arrived in Colorado to clean out his son’s apartment. He was charged with felony accessory to murder and felony tampering with physical evidence.

Those charges were dismissed in October 2022.

Dial filed a civil lawsuit in Douglas County District Court in May 2024, alleging that Brukbacher knowingly submitted a false and misleading affidavit to obtain an arrest warrant and omitted evidence that undermined probable cause. 

Dial, a Navy veteran and former financial executive, said the arrest and prosecution derailed his career and caused lasting personal and professional harm, according to court records.

His attorneys argued that Dial’s actions were limited to helping his son obtain legal counsel and cooperating with police while requesting an attorney be present.

The jury agreed, awarding compensatory damages for economic loss, emotional distress and damage to Dial’s reputation. Court records show the total award exceeded $24 million, marking one of the largest civil verdicts against a police department in Colorado.

The law firm representing Dial said in a statement that the verdict “sets a new standard for police misconduct verdicts in Colorado and is a warning to all law enforcement officers that they will be held accountable when they act without probable cause.”

Brukbacher, who was sued in her individual capacity, denied wrongdoing. Attorneys for the defense argued she acted in good faith based on the information available during the investigation.

In a statement, the Town of Parker said that staff is reviewing the potential for an appeal and will ensure compliance with all binding court orders while conducting its review.

Officials with the 23rd Judicial District Attorney’s Office confirmed the office has begun the process of disclosing the verdict in cases where Brukbacher has been endorsed as a witness and is reviewing whether further disclosures are required to meet its Brady obligations.