“The guy was just doing his job, responding to a request for help,” said Rep. Joe Salazar, D-Thornton. “… He was there to help people, and he was killed.”
Jesse Paul, The Denver Post
Members of the Colorado Senate recognize slain Deputy Heath Gumm on Thursday morning.
Both chambers held a moment of silence to recognize Gumm and his sacrifice, and the Capitol’s chimes were rung in his honor.
“He was engaged in doing his job,” said Sen. Beth Martinez Humenik, R-Thornton. “What our first responsders do every single day — putting their lives on the line. … Our hearts are heavy this morning.”
She added: “A wife lost her husband. A family lost their father.”
“I think it’s incumbent on all of us to remember and recognize the important role that law enforcement plays in our lives,” he said. “They put themselves in harms way every single day to make sure we’re all safe.”
Gov. John Hickenlooper ordered that flags in the state be lowered to half-staff on all public buildings until sunset on the day of Gumm’s funeral.
Courtesy of Adams County Sheriff's Office
Deputy Heath Gumm
RJ Sangosti, The Denver Post
Thornton resident Michael Kapaun holds a flag in support of Adams County Sheriff's Office Deputy Heath Gumm who was shot, in the 8700 block of Dawson Street, on Jan. 25, 2018 in Thornton. Gumm was shot in the chest by a suspect who fired several rounds from a handgun.
RJ Sangosti, The Denver Post
An Adams County Sheriff Deputy wears a black band across her badge after Sheriff's Deputy Heath Gumm was gunned down on Jan. 25, 2018 in Thornton. Gumm was shot in the chest by a suspect who fired several rounds from a handgun.
RJ Sangosti, The Denver Post
Ezekiah Lucero, 13, stops to pray at a memorial for Adams County Sheriff's Office Deputy Heath Gumm at Adams County South Substation on Jan. 25, 2018 in Commerce City. The Thornton school where Lucero attends seventh grade was closed as the hunt for two other suspects continue.
RJ Sangosti, The Denver Post
Deputies console each other near the location where Adams County Sheriff's Office Deputy Heath Gumm was gunned down on Jan. 25, 2018 in Thornton. Gumm was shot in the chest by a suspect who fired several rounds from a handgun.
John Leyba, The Denver Post
A flag hung down from Truck 53 and Tower 51 to form the archway as Brighton police officers stood at attention and saluted as the hearse carrying Adams County Sheriff's Office Deputy Heath Gumm arrives at the Adams county coroner on Jan. 25, 2018 in Brighton. Gumm was shot in the chest by a suspect who fired several rounds from a handgun about 7 p.m.
John Leyba, The Denver Post
Brighton police officers wear black ribbons over their badges and fight back tears for fallen Adams County Sheriff's Office Deputy Heath Gumm as the hearse carrying his body arrived at the Adams county coroner on Jan. 25, 2018 in Brighton. Gumm was shot in the chest by a suspect who fired several rounds from a handgun about 7 p.m.
John Leyba, The Denver Post
A flag hung down from Truck 53 and Tower 51 to form the archway as Brighton police officers stood at attention as the procession of police cars go by. The hearse carrying Adams County Sheriff's Office Deputy Heath Gumm arrived at the Adams county coroner on Jan. 25, 2018 in Brighton. Gumm was shot in the chest by a suspect who fired several rounds from a handgun about 7 p.m.
John Leyba, The Denver Post
Courtney Rydstrom, 20, and Danielle Proctor 24, hold up signs as they wait for the procession of fallen deputy to arrive. The neighborhood surrounding the Adams County Coroner building all gathered to pay their respects to fallen Adams County Sheriff's deputy. A flag hung down from Truck 53 and Tower 51 to form the archway. Brighton police officers stood at attention and saluted as the hearse carrying Adams County Sheriff's Office Deputy Heath Gumm arrives at the Adams county coroner on Jan. 25, 2018 in Brighton. Gumm was shot in the chest by a suspect who fired several rounds from a handgun about 7 p.m.
John Leyba, The Denver Post
Jonathan Cardenas of Henderson holds a flag as he waits for the procession to arrive. A flag hung down from Truck 53 and Tower 51 to form the archway. Brighton police officers stood at attention and saluted as the hearse carrying Adams County Sheriff's Office Deputy Heath Gumm arrives at the Adams county coroner on Jan. 25, 2018 in Brighton. Gumm was shot in the chest by a suspect who fired several rounds from a handgun about 7 p.m.
John Leyba, The Denver Post
Brighton Fire and Brighton PD all gathered to pay their respects to fallen Adams County Sheriff's deputy. A flag hung down from Truck 53 and Tower 51 to form the archway. Brighton police officers stood at attention and saluted as the hearse carrying Adams County Sheriff's Office Deputy Heath Gumm arrives at the Adams county coroner on Jan. 25, 2018 in Brighton. Gumm was shot in the chest by a suspect who fired several rounds from a handgun about 7 p.m.
John Leyba, The Denver Post
A long line of police cars make their way to the Adams County Coroner building. A flag hung down from Truck 53 and Tower 51 to form the archway where Brighton police officers, Brighton Fire and Adams County Sheriff's all stood at attention and saluted as the hearse carrying Adams County Sheriff's Office Deputy Heath Gumm arrived at the Adams county coroner on Jan. 25, 2018 in Brighton. Gumm was shot in the chest by a suspect who fired several rounds from a handgun about 7 p.m.
John Leyba, The Denver Post
Adams County Sheriffs personnel fight back tears for fallen Adams County Deputy. The hearse carrying Adams County Sheriff's Office Deputy Heath Gumm arrived at the Adams county coroner on Jan. 25, 2018 in Brighton. Gumm was shot in the chest by a suspect who fired several rounds from a handgun about 7 p.m.
John Leyba, The Denver Post
Brighton FD salute fallen Adams County Sheriff's Office Deputy Heath Gumm as the hearse carrying him arrived at the Adams county coroner on Jan. 25, 2018 in Brighton. Gumm was shot in the chest by a suspect who fired several rounds from a handgun about 7 p.m.
John Leyba, The Denver Post
Brighton police officers wear black ribbons over their badges and fight back tears for fallen Adams County Sheriff's Office Deputy Heath Gumm as the hearse carrying his body arrived at the Adams county coroner on Jan. 25, 2018 in Brighton. Gumm was shot in the chest by a suspect who fired several rounds from a handgun about 7 p.m.
John Leyba, The Denver Post
A flag hung down from Truck 53 and Tower 51 to form an archway as Brighton police officers and fire personnel stood for the procession. The hearse carrying Adams County Sheriff's Office Deputy Heath Gumm arrived at the Adams county coroner on Jan. 25, 2018 in Brighton.
RJ Sangosti, The Denver Post
Crime scene tape surrounds the area where Adams County Sheriff's Office Deputy Heath Gumm was gunned down on Jan. 25, 2018 in Thornton. Gumm was shot in the chest by a suspect who fired several rounds from a handgun.
RJ Sangosti, The Denver Post
Deputy gathers police tape near the location where Adams County Sheriff's Office Deputy Heath Gumm was gunned down on Jan. 25, 2018 in Thornton. Gumm was shot in the chest by a suspect who fired several rounds from a handgun.
RJ Sangosti, The Denver Post
Memorial beginning to grow at Adams County South Substation for Adams County Sheriff's Office Deputy Heath Gumm on Jan. 25, 2018 in Thornton. Gumm was shot in the chest by a suspect who fired several rounds from a handgun.
RJ Sangosti, The Denver Post
A memorial grows at Adams County South Substation for Adams County Sheriff's Office Deputy Heath Gumm on Jan. 25, 2018 in Thornton. Gumm was shot in the chest by a suspect who fired several rounds from a handgun.
Gumm, 31, was killed after being shot in the chest Wednesday night while responding to reports of an assault. One suspect was taken into custody, and two others remained at large Thursday morning.
Gumm had been with the Adams County Sheriff’s Office since 2012 and is survived by his wife and family.
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.
