Michael J. Mullen

Mike Mullen was born in Denver, Colorado on January 30,1944, to Lucille and Emmett Mullen. He sadly passed from this life on April 29, 2018, and is most assuredly sitting with the angels in Heaven.
Mike attended Denver Public Schools and graduated in 1962 from Abraham Lincoln High School. He attended Regis College for 3 1/2 years. He was never able to clearly define what career path he wished to pursue. After leaving Regis, Mike worked for Miller Grocers and Mountain Bell. He was invited to participate in a Denver Police Department ride-along, and from that experience he was convinced he wanted to become a Denver Police officer.
Mike served in a variety of capacities at DPD from 1969 through 1999. He retired as a Detective and enjoyed working as a gang detective, a juvenile prostitution detective, as well as an assortment of many other assignments. He loved his tenure with DPD and often stated that this was the best career anyone could ask for. Mike developed close friendships with officers from other departments through his work on multi-county task forces.

Mike is survived by his wife of 36 years, Lynne Mullen and two daughters, Lisa Buesing (Jason) and Kelli Andre (Jeff). He is also survived by six grandchildren; Nick Arko, Gianna Arko, Austin Arko, Rylee Buesing, Kellan Buesing and Pyper Buesing.

Mike's zest for life led him in many directions. He served as the President of the Denver Police Retirees Association for many years. He was committed to assuring that all retirees had an organization which welcomed them and provided support and camaraderie. He maintained an e-mail for many years in which he provided information relevant to the retired population. Members of the DPRA and their families consistently contacted Mike for help with pensions, information regarding job possibilities and, often, just to connect with a friendly and helpful voice. Mike continued serving on the Board of Directors until his battle with an aggressive form of brain cancer, glio blastoma, forced him to discontinue his participation.
Mike was actively involved in greyhound rescue, and was a member of Colorado Greyhound Adoption. He and Lynne served as adoption counselors for potential adoptees, as assistant editors for the annual CGA calendar and support for the monthly Meet and Greet for greyhounds at PetSmart. Throughout his involvement with CGA, Mike was the owner of 10 beloved greyhounds, two of whom survive him, Birdie and Emily. In his early relationship with Lynne, he consistently stated his indifference to cats. He did, however, overcome his apprehension about felines, and owned five cats until his death.

One of Mike's dreams was to live in Florida. Upon his retirement, he temporarily moved to Tarpon Springs, Florida, to remodel the home he and Lynne had purchased in 1984, He enjoyed fishing, hiking and canoeing in the Everglades and perpetual sunshine. He, however, had never factored in that becoming a grandfather would change his out-of-state life, and he and Lynne sold the Florida house and he returned to Colorado to be close to his family.

Mike's strong faith sustained him throughout his battle with cancer. He deeply appreciated all the prayers offered for his well-being by many of his peers, family and neighbors. He enjoyed frequent visits by friends throughout his illness and deeply appreciated the thoughtfulness of his brothers in blue who took him to lunches and dinners

Mike left an indelible impression on many. He was genuinely thoughtful, and many of his friends have commented that Mike never held a grudge or focused on negative gossip about others. He was always available to help or to seek others who could help when contacted by his friends. He never bragged about his good deeds nor did he judge others for their misdeeds.

We will miss Mike's smile, his humor, his goofy jokes and puns and his loving nature. Mike would want all of us to share random acts of kindness every day. In addition to becoming more sensitive to others, if anyone wishes to provide a donation in Mike's name, a cause very close to his heart is Colorado Greyhound Adoption. Please check their website for more information.