The Murder of Larry Gene Loucka, September 1974

Photo from CBI.

Larry Gene Loucka was born on June 6, 1946. He first lived in Arizona starting in at least 1961; he may have been born there. He attended his freshman year of high school at Camelback High School in Phoenix, Maricopa County, AZ in 1962. Larry then attended Norte Vista High School in Riverside, Riverside County, CA for his sophomore and junior years; it is unknown if he graduated. He then lived in Denver, Colorado for a period of time before moving back to Phoenix, AZ. 

In early September 1974, Larry moved back to Denver from Phoenix. Larry was a 28-year-old white man who was known to his friends as "Smiles". His last known address according to one clipping was 1630 Humboldt St. According to his obituary, his address may have been 281 Sherman St.

At 11:10pm on Sunday, September 8, 1974, Larry was walking on the sidewalk down the 400 block of E. 11th Avenue, holding a portable radio to his ear. An unknown man then ran up behind Larry and fired three shots, at least one of which hit Larry in the head, under his right ear. 

Immediately after firing the shots, the suspect turned and ran away. The suspect left without robbing the victim.

Larry was immediately transported to Denver General Hospital. He died a few hours after being shot, at 2:00am on Monday, September 9, 1974. A few days after the murder Det. Ralph Callahan said that no motive had been established. Very few details are available in his case.

Photo from Denver PD Cold Cases.

Anyone with information regarding Larry's murder is urged to call the Denver Police Department at (720) 913-2000. Callers can also remain anonymous and receive a reward of up to $2,000 by calling the Crime Stoppers Tip Line at (720) 913-STOP (7867). The agency case number is 1974-182092. 

Sources

CBI

Denver PD Cold Case Homicides 

The Rocky Mountain News 9/10/74, 12/26/74

Obituary (at bottom of clipping) 

Note: This write-up was last updated on August 5, 2025.

Note: Larry was shot six days after Labor Day. See the Holidays & Events Reference Page for an explanation as to why this is mentioned.