Police and prosecutors remained tight-lipped Thursday about the motive behind the fatal shooting of a Greeley police officer’s wife, but the city’s mayor said the crime has shaken its employees.
“People are very disturbed about it,” Mayor Tom Selders said.
A scholarship fund was established Thursday for the 9-year- old daughter of Heather Garraus. The mother was shot to death as she left work Tuesday.
The Colorado State Employees Credit Union, where Garraus was a supervisor, has already contributed $10,000 to the fund, president Terry Leis said.
“It’s a nice way of honoring Heather and assisting in the healing process,” Leis said.
Garraus, 37, was married to Greeley police Officer Ignacio Garraus.
Shawna Louise Nelson, 35, is accused of killing her. She remained in custody without bail Thursday and is expected to appear in court Monday to face first-degree murder charges.
Nelson is married to Weld County sheriff’s investigator Ken Nelson.
Authorities would not comment on Thursday’s report on the case in The Greeley Tribune. The newspaper cited unnamed sources as saying Shawna Nelson had an affair with Ignacio Garraus and had given birth to his child 10 months ago.
Court records show the Nelsons filed for divorce in May 2005 but decided to reconcile three months later.
Jennifer Finch, a spokeswoman for the Weld County district attorney, said she could not comment on the validity of the Tribune’s report.
Garraus’ autopsy was completed Thursday, but the results – such as how many times she was shot – were not released.
“We don’t want to jeopardize this case in any way, shape or form,” Finch said.
Ignacio Garraus is on bereavement leave from the police force. Ken Nelson is on vacation through the week, said Margie Martinez, Weld County sheriff’s spokeswoman.
Employees returned to work at the credit union Thursday, unless they could not bear it, Leis said. Grief counselors were also on hand.
The credit union is also helping the Garraus family make funeral arrangements.
Donations may be sent to the Colorado State Employees Credit Union, c/o the Victoria Garraus Fund, 1390 Logan St., Denver, CO 80203. More information about the fund can be obtained by calling 800-444-4816 or visiting www.csecu.org.
Staff writer Felisa Cardona can be reached at 303-954-1219 or fcardona@denverpost.com.
