GJPD Celebrates Badge Pinnings and Promotions #GVCopBeat
The Grand Junction Police Department is pleased to welcome our six newest police officers to our law enforcement family! Brian DeGrange, Chandon Rose, Scott Siegle, Chris Harmon, Ryan Martin, and Gage Hagerman had their badges pinned today during our annual badge pinning and promotional ceremony. We hope you’ll join us in welcoming them to our community, a place we’re certain they’ll love to serve as much as we do.
In addition to the badge pinnings, we also celebrated a number of promotions within our department. Amanda Fuoco was promoted to Dispatch Shift Supervisor. Alex Ogle was promoted to the newly created position of Lead Evidence Technician.
We had numerous promotions in our sworn ranks, as well. We recognized our four newest patrol sergeants; Jeff Davis, Caleb Church, Tom Rayside, and Ryan Piotrowski. We welcomed two new commanders; Dave Arcady and Steve Moore. Following the retirement of John Zen last week, we also recognized the promotion of Matt Smith to the position of Deputy Chief.
As our department grows and evolves, we look forward to continued opportunities to foster professional development among our exceptional staff. We are also eager to continue to bring on the most qualified applicants to join our agency, with a commitment to providing the level of service our community expects and deserves.
Update to November CIRT Investigation #GVCopBeat
On November 24th, 2018, the Mesa County Sheriff’s Office was investigating a suspicious incident, possibly involving a wanted subject, at 29 ½ Road and Patterson. An involved vehicle was described as an older model black Ford Mustang. The vehicle was later seen by an off-duty MCSO deputy in the area of 29 Road, near the I-70 overpass. This information was aired to on-duty law enforcement personnel. A deputy with the Mesa County Sheriff’s Office located the suspect vehicle and attempted contact with the occupants. The driver of the Mustang reportedly almost struck the deputy with the vehicle. The deputy fired his weapon and the vehicle fled the scene. No one was injured in this incident.
Rocky Cannett, age 29, was later arrested for charges of Attempted First Degree Assault on Peace Officer (4F), Vehicular Eluding (5F), Tampering with Physical Evidence (6F), Possession of Schedule II Controlled Substance (DF4), and Obstruction of a Peace Officer (2M). On Friday, April 5th, Cannett was sentenced to prison for charges resulting from this incident, as well as other unrelated cases.
As with any officer involved shooting, the 21st Judicial District Critical Incident Response Team, comprised of representatives of the Grand Junction Police Department, Mesa County Sheriff’s Office, Fruita Police Department, Palisade Police Department, Colorado State Patrol, 21st Judicial District Attorney’s Office, and Colorado Bureau of Investigation, was responsible for the investigation of this incident.
The CIRT investigation was completed and turned over to the Mesa County District Attorney’s Office. Deputy Love, the deputy involved in the incident, has returned to work. District Attorney Dan Rubinstein has completed his review of the investigation, and and his findings can be reviewed here.
We value the trust of the public and appreciate their patience while we ensure a thorough investigation into incidents like this one is completed.
Update to December CIRT Investigation #GVCopBeat
At approximately 11:30pm on Tuesday, December 11, 2018, deputies with the Mesa County Sheriff’s Office responded near Anna Court and William Drive on Orchard Mesa, after receiving information that a wanted subject may be in the area. The subject was known to be wanted for failure to register as a sex offender out of New Mexico, as well as failure to register as a sex offender and attempt to influence a public servant out of Mesa County.
Upon arrival, deputies located a vehicle matching the description of the car the wanted subject was associated with, and observed a person in the car who they believed may be the individual they were looking for. Deputies attempted contact with the occupant of the vehicle. The driver of the vehicle crashed into vehicles belonging to law enforcement in an apparent attempt to flee and also struck a deputy who had exited his vehicle. A second deputy fired his weapon at the subject, injuring him. The wanted subject, 51-year-old Ruben Sena, was transported from the scene by medical personnel for treatment of gunshot wounds to the shoulder and arm. After being medically cleared, Sena was transported to the Mesa County Detention Facility for charges of First Degree Assault, Felony Criminal Mischief, Resisting Arrest, and Obstruction, as well as unrelated warrants. Because Sena’s case is still pending, he is presumed innocent of any charges at this time. The deputy who was struck by the vehicle was transported to the hospital for medical evaluation, and was released with minor injuries.
As with any officer involved shooting, the 21st Judicial District Critical Incident Response Team, comprised of representatives of the Grand Junction Police Department, Mesa County Sheriff’s Office, Fruita Police Department, Palisade Police Department, Colorado State Patrol, 21st Judicial District Attorney’s Office, Colorado State Parole, and Colorado Bureau of Investigation, was responsible for the investigation of this incident.
The CIRT investigation was completed and turned over to the Mesa County District Attorney’s Office. Deputy Stuckenschneider, the deputy involved in the incident, has returned to work. District Attorney Dan Rubinstein has completed his review of the investigation, and and his findings can be reviewed here.
We are grateful for the professional and comprehensive collaboration of law enforcement in Mesa County.
Crime of the Week #GVCopBeat #MCCrimeStoppers
Crime Stoppers of Mesa County needs your help to identify and locate the suspects involved in fraud.
In January 2019, Benjamin Franklin Plumbing filed three case reports of fraud and forgery. Business checks given to former employee were used later by two unknown male suspects and an unknown female suspect to purchase merchandise from Walmart, Home Depot and Lowe’s. The suspects were last seen leaving the area in an older dark-colored sedan with tinted windows. The total estimated property loss is over $5,300. Photos of three suspects can be viewed at http://www.241stop.com.
If you know the identity and location of the suspects involved in this crime, please contact Crime Stoppers at 241-7867. Information reported to Crime Stoppers that leads to an arrest can earn you up to $1,000 cash reward and you will remain completely anonymous. For more information, see us at http://www.241stop.com.
GJPD# 2019-2004, 2019-4646, 2019-4647
Update to CIRT Investigation #GVCopBeat
The Mesa County Coroner’s Office has completed its examination regarding the deceased subject from the officer involved shooting that took place on Saturday night. The coroner’s release can be found here.
The investigation into this incident by the 21st Judicial District Critical Incident Response Team is ongoing. The Mesa County Sheriff’s Office will be responsible for releasing the names of the involved deputies. A previous release in reference to this incident follows below.
_____________________________________________________________________________________________
At 6:42pm on Saturday evening, deputies with the Mesa County Sheriff’s Office were dispatched to a residence in the 2900 Block of Bunting Avenue on a report of a suicidal male with a gun. Deputies arrived on scene and located the adult male, who was holding a shotgun. During the incident, deputies fired shots at the male, who then retreated back inside the residence. The male was ultimately found inside the home with a self-inflicted gunshot wound. The male was pronounced dead at the scene. It is unknown at this time if any of the shots fired by the deputies struck the male. No one else was injured in this incident.
The Mesa County Coroner’s Office will be responsible for determining cause and manner of death, as well as releasing the identity of the deceased.
As with all officer involved shootings in Mesa County, the 21st Judicial District Critical Incident Response Team, comprised of representatives of the Grand Junction Police Department, Mesa County Sheriff’s Office, Fruita Police Department, Palisade Police Department, Colorado State Patrol, 21st Judicial District Attorney’s Office, Colorado State Parole, and Colorado Bureau of Investigation, is responsible for the investigation of this incident.
Law enforcement continues to process the scene of this incident for additional evidence. Residents in the area may see an increased presence of law enforcement personnel over the next several hours. Members of the Critical Incident Response Team will conduct interviews of all witnesses and involved persons in this case over the coming days. Additional details will be released as appropriate, with sensitivity to the ongoing investigation.
The Mesa County Sheriff’s Office will be responsible for releasing the names of the involved deputies. As per their agency’s policy, the deputies will be placed on administrative leave.
Anyone who heard or witnessed this incident, as well as anyone who has security cameras that may have captured all or part of these events, is encouraged to contact the Investigations Unit of the Grand Junction Police Department at (970)549-5208 to speak with a detective.
No further information is expected to be released until Monday.
GJPD Actively Investigating Cold Case Homicide from 1975 #GVCopBeat
The Grand Junction Police Department is seeking help from the public to solve a homicide that occurred in 1975.
On December 27, 1975, officers with the GJPD responded to an apartment at 1029 Belford Avenue. The manager of the complex had become concerned for the tenant in the apartment after numerous phone calls had gone unanswered. A bedroom window to the unit was left open and the toilet was running. The manager entered the apartment using a master key, and located the body of 19 year old Deborah Tomlinson. Ms. Tomlinson was lying in the bathtub of the apartment, partially clothed. She had been bound, sexually assaulted, and strangled. A gash on Ms. Tomlinson’s forehead suggests she may have fought with her attacker. There is no evidence to indicate the use of a weapon in the attack.
The Grand Junction Police Department urges anyone who may know something to speak up. We’d like to provide some measure of closure to Deborah’s family and, if possible, bring a murderer to justice. If you have any information that could aid in the investigation of this crime, please call Corporal Brandon Ludwig of the Grand Junction Police Department at (970)683-3404.
CIRT Activated to Investigate Officer Involved Shooting #GVCopBeat
At 6:42pm on Saturday evening, deputies with the Mesa County Sheriff’s Office were dispatched to a residence in the 2900 Block of Bunting Avenue on a report of a suicidal male with a gun. Deputies arrived on scene and located the adult male, who was holding a shotgun. During the incident, deputies fired shots at the male, who then retreated back inside the residence. The male was ultimately found inside the home with a self-inflicted gunshot wound. The male was pronounced dead at the scene. It is unknown at this time if any of the shots fired by the deputies struck the male. No one else was injured in this incident.
The Mesa County Coroner’s Office will be responsible for determining cause and manner of death, as well as releasing the identity of the deceased.
As with all officer involved shootings in Mesa County, the 21st Judicial District Critical Incident Response Team, comprised of representatives of the Grand Junction Police Department, Mesa County Sheriff’s Office, Fruita Police Department, Palisade Police Department, Colorado State Patrol, 21st Judicial District Attorney’s Office, Colorado State Parole, and Colorado Bureau of Investigation, is responsible for the investigation of this incident.
Law enforcement continues to process the scene of this incident for additional evidence. Residents in the area may see an increased presence of law enforcement personnel over the next several hours. Members of the Critical Incident Response Team will conduct interviews of all witnesses and involved persons in this case over the coming days. Additional details will be released as appropriate, with sensitivity to the ongoing investigation.
The Mesa County Sheriff’s Office will be responsible for releasing the names of the involved deputies. As per their agency’s policy, the deputies will be placed on administrative leave.
Anyone who heard or witnessed this incident, as well as anyone who has security cameras that may have captured all or part of these events, is encouraged to contact the Investigations Unit of the Grand Junction Police Department at (970)549-5208 to speak with a detective.
No further information is expected to be released until Monday.
