THORNTON — An Adams County sheriff’s deputy chasing a suspect in an assault case was shot and killed Wednesday night, and authorities said they have taken one man into custody. Law enforcement officers are still searching for two suspects, and they urged residents to remain inside and shelter away from doors and windows.
The Colorado Police Officers Foundation identified the slain deputy early Thursday morning as Heath Gumm.
Gumm was shot in the chest by a suspect who fired several rounds from a handgun about 7 p.m., sheriff’s spokeswoman Senior Deputy Amanda Overton said at a news briefing. The shooting happened in the 8700 block of Dawson Street after deputies had responded to a report of an assault, Overton said. Deputies spotted a man matching the description of a suspect in the assault, and he fled behind a home.
The deputy was taken to Denver Health medical center, where he was pronounced dead. Law enforcement officers from throughout the metro area gathered at the hospital for a procession, and their cruisers’ flashing red and blue lights lit up the surrounding streets.
The suspect was not identified.
Law enforcement had set up a large perimeter, and SWAT teams, Aurora police and canine units were assisting in the search. Police were flooding the area with light while looking for the attackers, whom Overton described as light-skinned black males or dark-skinned Latino males wearing all black.
Anyone with information is asked to call 720-322-1313.
A special PayPal account of the Colorado FOP’s Police Foundation has been set up exclusively for donations to Gumm’s family. All donations will go directly to the family, the .
Gumm, 31, is survived by his wife and family. He has served with the sheriff’s office since 2012.
Overton fought back tears during the news conference as she talked about “the incredible sadness” of Gumm’s death.
“We’re praying for the wife and family of our fallen deputy. Please keep us in your thoughts and prayers,” Overton said. She fielded no questions at the 11:15 p.m. news conference at a sheriff’s substation. Sheriff Michael McIntosh was out of town. He is expected back Thursday morning.
The shooting came less than one month after a Douglas County sheriff’s deputy was killed in the line of duty.
— Adams Sheriff's Page (@AdamsCoSheriff)
Cops are standing in clusters, quietly talking. Others are lining outside the emergency entrance.
— Noelle Phillips (@Noelle_Phillips)
Denver Health is surrounded by police cars. It's where an Adams County sheriff's deputy was taken after being shot.
— Noelle Phillips (@Noelle_Phillips)
Officer down, please avoid the area of 88th and Dawson Street. Large perimeter with suspect still at large. Those of you in that area, please seek shelter away from the doors and windows.
— Adams Sheriff's Page (@AdamsCoSheriff)
This loss is incomprehensible. Not one, but two deputies down in less than a month. We grieve with on the loss of their deputy, and all that their community has lost as a result. We stand strong with our brothers and sisters in blue.
— Arapahoe Sheriff (@ArapahoeSO)
Breaking: We are on scene of an officer involved shooting in Adams County. We are hearing that suspects may still be on the loose. Police K9's from Aurora, Arvada, elsewhere are here helping. Follow for the latest from the scene.
— James Dougherty (@DoughertyKMGH)
Search for shooter is on going. Expecting presser shortly.
— kieran nicholson (@kierannicholson)
Gov. John Hickenlooper said, “Tonight we watched as a community was on edge and a sheriff’s deputy was shot while responding to a call in Adams County. We are deeply saddened to learn that the deputy has died from injuries sustained in the shooting. Our thoughts and prayers are with the Adams County Sheriff’s Office and the family and friends of the deputy killed.”
The Adams County Sheriff’s Office was advising the public to avoid the area of East 88th Avenue and Dawson Street and to seek shelter.
Paul Singh, a clerk at a nearby 7-Eleven, came on duty after the shooting and said officers asked him to close the store while they investigated and searched for the suspects. He was serving deputies hot coffee on the cold night.
KMGH-TV was reporting that an employee of a nearby Walmart store said customers inside the store got out and a few employees remained inside as police worked to search for the suspect. The employee, who did not want to be identified, said the doors at the store were locked and an alarm had been turned on.
Late in the evening, a man and woman pulled up to an Adams County sheriff’s substation. He pounded an American flag into the ground, and they two left flowers. The man, who declined to be identified, said, “We’re all family, brothers and sisters.”
On Dec. 31, a gunman killed Douglas County sheriff’s deputy Zackari Parrish and wounded six other people before being killed in a shootout with SWAT officers at a Highlands Ranch apartment complex. Authorities say the gunman fired 100 rounds during the standoff with law enforcement officers.
Denver Post staff writer Noelle Phillips and Denver7 contributed to this report.
Update Jan. 25, 2018, at 3:50 p.m.: Due to incorrect information from a source, Deputy Heath Gumm’s age and start date were incorrect. He was 31 years old and had been with the Sheriff’s Office since 2012.
