Mesa County Deputy Shot in Line of Duty
http://www.policeone.com/officer-sho...alking-on-road
By PoliceOne Staff
GRAND JUNCTION, Colo. — A Mesa County sheriff’s deputy was critically wounded after confronting an armed 17-year-old walking on the road, Grand Junction Sentinel reported.
Deputy Derek Geer was in his “final hours of his life” Tuesday while final arrangements were being made for him, Sheriff Matt Lewis said to the publication.
http://police-praetorian.netdna-ssl....6-mesa-cou.jpg Deputy Derek Geer. (Mesa County Sheriff's Office Image)
“We will not wait to begin to honor Deputy Geer and his sacrifice,” Lewis said. “Effective immediately and until further notice please shroud your badge in honor of Deputy Geer.”
Geer responded to a report of a person walking around with a gun on Monday. Deputies encountered the 17-year-old suspect on the side of a four-lane highway and began talking with him.
When deputies confirmed to the teen he was going to be detained, a struggle ensued. Geer deployed a TASER on the suspect who pulled out his firearm and shot the officer several times.
Police radioed dispatch to report Geer was wounded and “bleeding heavily” from his face, Lewis said. Another deputy responded and found Geer has sustained multiple gunshot wounds and was not responsive.
The suspect was found in the backyard of a nearby residence.
Lewis praised Geer at a press conference for his dedication to the force during his 15-year career.
“This is a person who has dedicated his adult life to this organization, to protecting this community and today, quite possibly, made the ultimate sacrifice,” Lewis said. “This person was a member of this community. He was a father. He was a husband.”
The incident is under investigation.
