A Mesa County, CO Deputy and father of two is to be taken off life support after being shot in the line of duty.
According to the Denver Post, Deputy Derek Geer was shot by a 17-year old boy Monday morning in Grand Junction, Colorado.
Geer, a 40-year old Navy veteran with 15 years at his department, was attempting to question a 17-year-old boy amid reports of an armed suspect. When the suspect tried to flee, Geer pulled his taser in an attempt to stop the suspect with less than lethal force. Officers say the boy pulled a handgun, firing several times before fleeing, leaving Geer mortally wounded with a serious wound to the face.
The 17-year old -whose identity has not been released- was detained an hour later, and was reported to have been wearing a bandana over his face. The firearm used in the shooting was also recovered.
An investigation into the shooting has been turned over to the 21st Judicial District Critical Incident Response Team.
Mesa County District Attorney Dan Rubinstein stated that because the case is being investigated by a team of local and state law enforcement departments, he cannot comment. He also declined to speculate about what charges the teen accused of shooting Geer might face.
“We are trying to come to terms with this tragedy,” Lewis said. “We will have answers soon enough.”
An organ donor, Geer has been in the St. Mary’s Regional Medical Center since Monday. According to a statement made yesterday by Sheriff Matt Lewis, Geer will be taken off life support within 48 hours and his organs donated, in what Lewis called “one more final act of service.”
“Our hearts are broken, as we begin the process of grieving the tremendous loss of Derek, our husband, father, son and friend,” said Geer’s wife, Kate.
“The love and support that has been poured out to our family over the last 24 hours is humbling; the gratitude for Derek’s sacrifice and the compassion from this community is a reminder of the good in this world.”
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