Boulder County Sheriff’s Deputy Arrested for Allegedly Punching his Wife was Previously Nominated for Domestic Violence Service Award

Deputy Peter Markusen also had previously dismissed domestic violence-related charges from 2008, and two attempts at temporary protection orders for domestic abuse against him this past year

Shortly after midnight on April 16, 1994, Boulder Police Department Officer Beth Haynes — 26 at the time — responded to a domestic violence report. A shootout began quickly after Haynes arrived as the suspect fired at her, and she fired back. Haynes died of her wounds in the chest, head and hands later that night, and the now mortally-wounded suspect shot himself as officers closed in.

Officers and deputies across Boulder County are nominated every year by their peers and victim advocates for an annual award named after Haynes. In its 32nd year now, the Beth Haynes Award “recognizes outstanding law enforcement service given to survivors of domestic violence in Boulder County,” according to the Boulder County Sheriff’s Office.

BCSO Deputy Peter Markusen, 36, who was charged with domestic violence-related assault, harassment, and child abuse on Jan. 26, was nominated for this award in 2022 along with other BCSO deputies. The agency posted on its Facebook page in October that year that it was “extremely proud of these deputies and the high level of service they provide to community members of Boulder County and survivors of domestic violence.”

Markusen’s arrest affidavit states he pushed his wife into the house’s garage and punched her in the head while the two were talking. His wife told responding Longmont Police that Markusen was drunk, and had a history of hitting her and choking her.

She went on to say that she was “fucking terrified because he says you guys will just side with him,” and that it happened "last time,” according to the affidavit. She said she was previously arrested by LPD after Markusen “struck” her, and she had “struck” him back.

She continued that she believed that she had been the one arrested instead of him because she was intoxicated and Markusen was sober for that incident. She said she was required to attend a domestic violence training course because of it.

According to Colorado Bureau of Investigation arrest reports, Markusen’s wife was arrested in February 2023 for initial charges of assault and domestic violence-related child abuse — both dismissed — with the eventual additional charge of disorderly conduct which was deferred and dismissed.

Markusen’s case is ongoing, with his next court date set for March 9.

The Beth Haynes award itself is funded by The Zonta Foothills Club of Boulder County — a nonprofit that works “to better the lives of women and children in our community and the world through education, advocacy & service,” according to their website.

The Foothills Club did not respond to multiple phone calls and voicemail.

According to the CBI’s arrest record search on Markusen, he was also arrested for domestic violence-related harassment charges in 2008, though the case was either dismissed or sealed, as no court records are public.

Markusen also had two attempts at temporary protection orders being granted against him by a woman who is not his wife for domestic abuse, according to court documents. A TPO is the first step towards a permanent protection order, or also called a restraining order.

The first was filed in June 2025 and was denied by the presiding judge for not meeting the “burden of proof to demonstrate that a risk or threat of physical harm or the threat of psychological or emotional harm exists.” The second was filed a few months later in September and had the woman presenting text messages as evidence, though she became “visibly upset” after a recess and left the court before a ruling was made, according to court documents. The case was dismissed.

Marksusen is currently on administrative leave, BCSO’s statement on his arrest states, and he has been with the agency since 2019.