When a costumed superhero’s motorcycle broke down on the side of the road, a Douglas County deputy knew he had to act. Instead, Deputy Zach Zepeski pulled over, found out where the rider was headed, and paid for the tow out of his own pocket. The rider was the “Colorado Captain,” on his way to visit kids at a children’s hospital dressed as Marvel’s Captain America.
Colorado Captain’s true identity is Matt Gnojek, a Denver actor who dresses head to toe as Captain America and rides around on his Harley for charity. One morning around the holidays, his bike died while he was heading to an appearance at Children’s Hospital in Highlands Ranch. His insurance wouldn’t cover a tow, and he was stuck on the shoulder waiting for a ride. The police wouldn’t let that happen.
Zepeski came across him while out on patrol. He was curious about the costume and the old military-style Harley, and once he heard where Gnojek was trying to go, he decided to help. According to the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office, he paid for the tow himself to get the bike somewhere safe, telling Gnojek not to worry about it because it was Christmas.
Gnojek was floored by what Zepeski did. He thanked the deputy over and over, and Zepeski just waved it off. He later said he wasn’t looking for any credit, saying, “I just wanted him to focus on being safe.”
Who Is Colorado Captain?
Once Gnojek started dressing up here and there as the American superhero for kids, he turned it into a full-fledged job. He rides his Harley around the country in character, raising money for kids with cancer through his nonprofit, Cap for Kids. Needless to say, the kids love it.
Gnojek visits children’s hospitals, conventions, and parade. While there, he hands out smiles and gifts as the Captain. He’s logged thousands of miles and raised tens of thousands of dollars over the years as well. But all those miles are hard on a bike, and his finally gave out on C-470 that morning.
How the Deputy Handled the Attention
The body cam clip blew up after the sheriff’s office shared it. In fact, people called Zepeski a hero in his own right. Some even offered to chip in and cover the towing cost. Zepeski turned them down, however, and took care of it himself. That way Cap could get back on the road as soon as possible.
Instead, he asked anyone who wanted to help to donate to Colorado Captain’s cause or another children’s charity. Gnojek actually ran late that day and missed the parade he was racing to, but he kept up his hospital visits and later teamed up with Zepeski’s office for a Shop with a Cop event. Either way, the Captain kept visiting kids, and the deputy got back to his shift.