Weld County sheriff’s investigator Ken Nelson took possession of the .40-caliber Glock model 22 handgun that his wife supposedly used to kill Heather Garraus on Jan. 23 but later surrendered it to authorities the night of the investigation, according to a Greeley police affidavit released today.
Nelson, who has left the Weld County force, faces a felony charge of tampering with evidence. He currently is in Walla Walla, Wash., awaiting a court date, said Larimer County DA spokeswoman Linda Jensen.
Nelson’s wife — Shawna Nelson — allegedly shot Garraus execution-style outside a Greeley credit union as she was leaving work. Shawna Nelson had a three-year affair with Heather Garraus’ husband — Greeley Police Office Iganacio Garraus — and had Ignacio’s son.
But he broke off the relationship with Shawna Nelson in late 2006 after his wife, Heather, found out about it.
Ken Nelson heard radio traffic the night of Jan. 23 indicating his wife was a suspect in the Garraus shooting, the affidavit said. He drove to his home, along with sheriff’s investigator Kell Hulsey, and en route spotted his truck being driven by his wife.
He confronted his wife and then went home to check on his children, the affidavit said. A witness told police he saw a man reach inside the pickup and take something from the driver’s side of the vehicle.
Later, back at the Weld County Drug Task Force headquarters, Nelson handed over the handgun. A CBI lab test showed it was the same weapon used in the Garraus shooting, according to the affidavit.
