COLORADO SPRINGS – Jon Didleau learned of the crime through the news.
A murder Wednesday in a Colorado Springs neighborhood caught his attention, because the suspected killer, James W. Hanlon, is someone he knows closely. He’s accused of killing his neighbor, Gary Dolce, outside his home on Rimwood Drive.
Neighbors wouldn’t talk to News 5 on camera, but they wanted to share kind words about Dolce’s legacy. One neighbor called him an avid Broncos fan that loved walking his dogs, helping his neighbors and had an overall enjoyment for life.
“I can’t believe that he got involved in an instance like that,” Didleau said. “He was just the antithesis of violence. He just was a good sort of fellow.”
Didleau is a diabetic and battling other health problems, which requires he seeks at-home healthcare. He said Hanlon provided that care while working for Abode for a five-week period just a few months ago.
Didleau confided in Hanlon, saying the two bonded after learning they both served in branches of the military.
“He was really generous with his time and his coaching, so I appreciated that a good deal,” Didleau said.
So you can imagine his surprise learning the details in the murder police said Hanlon was responsible for.
According to court documents, police said Hanlon shot and killed his neighbor Dolce over a dog dispute. He then fled the scene before turning himself into police in Denver.
It undoubtedly shocked Didleau, but he said he thinks Hanlon experienced a brief moment of rage.
“You never know when that’s going to happen to somebody,” Didleau said.
