Today, the Mesa County Board of Commissioners officially dedicated this week, May 9-15, 2021, to law enforcement officers in Mesa County.

Sheriff Matt Lewis and Operations Captain Todd Sorenson joined area law enforcement agencies and the Mesa County Board of Commissioners in recognizing fallen law enforcement officers and also those who put their lives on the line to protect the community in which they serve.

“The men and women in public safety across Mesa County get out of bed every morning and leave their families to put on the uniform in service to their community,” said MCSO Operations Captain Todd Sorenson. “I couldn’t be more proud of the men and women of the Mesa County Sheriff’s Office and our federal, state, and local law enforcement partnerships. This community is safer today because of the dedication of these professionals.”

The Mesa County Sheriff's Office Honor Guard began Police Week with a ceremony raising the American flag to half-staff to honor those who have made the ultimate sacrifice. The flag will remain at half-staff for the duration of Police Week.

Since 1791, more than 21,000 law enforcement officers in the United States have made the ultimate sacrifice and been killed in the line of duty, including four from local law enforcement agencies. Deputy Edward Innes was killed on September 27, 1906, during an inmate jail escape. Colorado State Patrol Sergeant Wesley Rosette was killed in a crash on January 31, 1951. Fruita Police Department lost Acting Chief Dan Dalley in June 2001. Deputy Derek Geer of the Mesa County Sheriff’s Office died after being shot by an armed suspect in February of 2016.

A wreath, first displayed in the Mesa County Sheriff's Office lobby, will be placed on Deputy Geer’s grave in a private ceremony this week to honor and remember his sacrifice. Learn more about Deputy Derek Geer here.

This week the Mesa County Sheriff’s Office will be sharing more with the community about why local law enforcement is honored to serve. Please join us in thanking the men and women in our community who wear the badge for not only what they do, but more importantly, the personal sacrifices they make to ensure our safety.