De Beque High School student awarded scholarship

Kaylie Fuller receiving her CSOC scholarship

 from Mesa County Sheriff Matt Lewis

MESA COUNTY, Colo - We are very proud to announce the recipient of this year’s County Sheriffs of Colorado (CSOC) scholarship award.

Kaylie Fuller just graduated from De Beque Undivided High School and will be attending the University of Northern Colorado in the fall to study criminal justice. She is the first person in her family to graduate high school and is determined to be the first to graduate college. The Mesa County Sheriff’s Office is honored to be able to help her obtain that goal.

CSOC offered more than 30 awards of $500 each this year to deserving high school and college students in Colorado to fund higher education expenses for the 2020-2021 academic year. This is the 39th year for the CSOC scholarship program.

Please join us in congratulating Kaylie on all of your accomplishments! We look forward to hearing about all of your future successes! To learn more about the CSOC scholarship award click here.

DA Review of CIRT Investigation Complete

MESA COUNTY, Colo – The 21st Judicial District Critical Incident Response Team (CIRT) has completed its investigation of the May 9th, 2020 officer involved shooting and turned it over to the 21st Judicial District Attorney’s Office. District Attorney Dan Rubinstein has completed his review of the investigation, and his findings can be reviewed here.

At approximately 9:00 a.m. Saturday, May 9th, 2020 a Colorado State Patrol Trooper responded to a report of a person exhibiting odd behavior in the area Hwy 50 and 29 Road. The initial report to 911 indicated the person was standing in the same position for a couple of hours, not moving and was possibly a mannequin. When a citizen approached and asked the person if they needed help, they did not answer or acknowledge their presence.

The Trooper attempted to speak with the person near the side of Highway 50. The person began to act aggressively and brandished an approximately 10-inch knife. Ultimately, an officer involved shooting occurred. The involved person, identified as Jayson Thompson of Arizona, is deceased and the Trooper is not injured.

As with all officer-involved shootings in Mesa County, the 21st Judicial District Critical Incident Response Team (CIRT), comprised of representatives of the Mesa County Sheriff’s Office, Grand Junction Police Department, Fruita Police Department, Colorado Bureau of Investigation, and 21st Judicial District Attorney’s Office, was responsible for the investigation of this incident.

For previous releases about this incident click here.

Remains found in February confirmed to be missing Grand Junction man

Franklin “Frank” Taylor
Remains found

MESA COUNTY – Mesa County Sheriff’s Office investigators have confirmed remains found in February in Utah belong to missing Grand Junction man, Frank Taylor.

On February 29, 2020, dirt bikers found remains in the desert in Grand County, Utah. Mesa County Sheriff’s Office investigators have received DNA confirmation the remains belong to Mr. Taylor.

Franklin “Frank” Taylor, 53, was reported missing in March 2019 by friends under suspicious circumstances. In October 2019, Matthew Logan, 33, of Fruita, was arrested and is currently facing charges related to Mr. Taylor’s disappearance.

The Mesa County Sheriff’s Office would like to thank our partners at Grand County Sheriff's Office (UT), State of Utah Medical Examiner's Office, and the Colorado Bureau of Investigations Laboratory for their assistance with this case. We also want to thank the public for all of their leads and continued vigilance in seeking justice for Mr. Taylor.

This cases remains under investigation.

For previous press releases about this case click here.

Suspect in custody after shots fired

MESA COUNTY, Colorado- Deputies with the Mesa County Sheriff's Office have two in custody after a call of shots fired near 34 1/2 and F Roads resulted in a short pursuit Friday night. The call came in just after 6 pm and deputies located the involved vehicle. The vehicle failed to yield and a short pursuit began. The driver crashed his vehicle at San Juan and D 1/2 Roads. Both subjects were apprehended and transported for medical assessment and treatment. The investigation is ongoing.

One person arrested after hours-long standoff

Daniel Rosales, 31
MCSO Photo 5-1-20

CLIFTON, Colo – At approximately 5:30 this morning, deputies received a report of a domestic disturbance at a residence on the 400 block of Forelle Ct in Clifton. Deputies learned a woman and her children were hiding in their bedroom, while a male, identified as Daniel Rosales, 31, of Grand Junction, was refusing to leave.

Deputies safely evacuated the woman and children, but Rosales refused to come outside.

A Community Notification to shelter in place was sent to about 70 residents in the area. Homes immediately surrounding the subject’s home were evacuated as a precaution.

The combined Mesa County Sheriff’s Office and Grand Junction Police Department SWAT Team was called out to assist. A search warrant was obtained to enter the residence and arrest Rosales. The SWAT team entered the home and at approximately 11:40 a.m. Rosales was arrested without further incident.

Rosales is facing the following charges:

• 2nd Degree Burglary (Class 3 Felony)
• Harassment (Class 1 Misdemeanor)
• Criminal Mischief, Less Than $300 (Class 3 Misdemeanor)
• Obstructing Government Operations (Class 3 Misdemeanor)
• Violation of Bail Bond Conditions (Class 6 Felony)
• Resisting Arrest (Class 2 Misdemeanor)
• Barricades and Refused Police Entry Upon Request
• Domestic Violence

Rosales was transported to the hospital to be evaluated. Once medically cleared, he was transported to the Mesa County Detention Facility. For updated bond amounts visit our website.

CIRT Investigation Update

MESA COUNTY, Colo -  On the morning of Saturday, May 9th, 2020 a Colorado State Patrol Trooper responded to a report of a person exhibiting odd behavior in the area Hwy 50 and 29 Road. The initial report to 911 indicated the person was standing in the same position for a couple of hours, not moving. When a citizen approached and asked the person if they needed help, they did not answer or acknowledge their presence.

At approximately 9:00 a.m. the Trooper attempted to speak with the 33-year-old male near the side of Highway 50. The man began to act aggressively and brandished an approximately 10-inch knife. Ultimately an officer involved shooting occurred. The involved male is deceased and the Trooper is not injured.

The 21st Judicial District Critical Incident Response Team (CIRT) are continuing to interview multiple witnesses of the odd behavior first reported as well as witnesses to the subsequent officer involved shooting. Investigators are reviewing several sources of video that captured various aspects of the incident. Work continues to process and analyze evidence in this case to learn more about the circumstances surrounding the shooting.

Investigators are seeking the identities of several potential witnesses believed to be in the area during the time of the incident. Please take a look at the attached photos of vehicles and people seen in the area of the Orchard Mesa Market gas station. Investigators are looking to speak with these individuals to determine if they are potential witnesses to this incident.

If you know who these potential witnesses may be, or have information about this case please call the MCSO Witness Tip Line at (970) 244-3526.

The Critical Incident Response Team would like to thank the public for providing information about this incident.

To view the previous press release about this incident click here. To view the Mesa County Coroner's press release click here.

Motorcycle driver getting gas

Woman in green, dark hair

Dodge, Temporary Tags, Female Driver

Silver Dodge Ram  

Male driver of Saturn

Black sedan, Male passenger

Red older F150, bike in bed.

Deputies honored: Police Week May 10-16, 2020

Mesa County Board of Commissioners

proclaim this week Police Week

MESA COUNTY, Colo – Today the Mesa County Board of Commissioners officially dedicated this week, May 10-16, 2020, to law enforcement officers in Mesa County.

Sheriff Matt Lewis and Operations Captain Todd Sorenson joined area law enforcement agencies and the Mesa County Board of Commissioners in recognizing not only fallen law enforcement officers, but also those who put their lives on the line each and every day to protect the community in which they serve.

MCSO Honor Guard

“We are citizens first. We are your neighbors, coaches, pastors, and volunteers who choose to serve our community by putting on a uniform,” said MCSO Operations Captain Todd Sorenson. “I couldn’t be more proud of the men and women of the Mesa County Sheriff’s Office and our federal, state and local law enforcement partnerships. Together we have been able to address crime, provide mental health services and make our schools safer like never before.”

American Flag flies at half-staff
to honor fallen officers

The Mesa County Sheriff's Office Honor Guard began Police Week with a ceremony raising the American flag to half-staff to honor those who have made the ultimate sacrifice. The flag will remain at half-staff for the duration of Police Week.

A wreath is displayed in the
 Records Lobby to honor
Deputy Derek Geer

Since 1791, more than 21,000 law enforcement officers in the United States have made the ultimate sacrifice and been killed in the line of duty, including three from local law enforcement agencies. Deputy Edward Innes was killed on September 27, 1906, during an inmate jail escape. Fruita Police Department lost Acting Chief Dan Dalley in June 2001. Most recently, Deputy Derek Geer, of the Mesa County Sheriff’s Office, died after being shot by an armed suspect in February of 2016.

A wreath, first displayed in the Mesa County Sheriff's Office lobby, will be placed on Deputy Geer’s grave in a private ceremony this week to honor and remember his sacrifice. Learn more about Deputy Derek Geer here.

While traditional Police Week events like the Memorial Vigil and Glow N Games will not take place this year, due to COVID-19, it’s still important to mark the occasion. Please join us in thanking the men and women in our community who wear the badge for not only what they do, but more importantly, the personal sacrifices they make to ensure our safety.

CIRT activated for an officer involved shooting

MESA COUNTY– On May 9th, 2020 shortly after 09:00 a.m., a Colorado State Trooper was involved in an officer involved shooting on Highway 50 and 29 Road in Mesa County. The Trooper was not injured in the incident and a single suspect is deceased.

The 21st Judicial District Critical Incident Response Team (CIRT) is investigating the shooting. Traffic in the area is being diverted for the investigation. Expect delays for an extended period, so please avoid area.

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 Coroner’s Office will be responsible for releasing the identity of the deceased, as well as the cause and manner of death, after appropriate notifications have been made.

The Colorado State Patrol will be responsible for releasing the names of their involved personnel. The Trooper will be placed on administrative leave, as is standard protocol.

The CIRT is seeking information about this incident. Anyone who witnessed or has video of this incident is asked to call the MCSO Witness Tip Line at (970) 244-3526.

The 21st Judicial District Critical Incident Response Team (CIRT) is comprised of the following agencies: 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. It is generally activated when a law enforcement agency is involved in a critical incident to ensure a complete and accurate investigation.

Detention Deputies Honored: Correctional Officers' Week May 3-10, 2020

Mesa County Board of Commissioners

proclaim this week Correctional Officers' Week

MESA COUNTY, Colo. — Today the Mesa County Board of Commissioners officially dedicated this week to Correctional Officers in Mesa County. In 1984, President Ronald Reagan created National Correctional Officers’ Week to honor the work of correctional officers and correctional personnel nationwide. In Mesa County, this group of professionals are known as detention deputies.

Sheriff Matt Lewis and Detentions Captain Art Smith joined the Mesa County Board of Commissioners in recognizing the professionalism and dedication of our detention deputies and staff especially during these unique times.

Detentions deputies and staff are on the front line and are an integral part of the response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Local jails, like the Mesa County Detention Facility, are complex organizations. On a basic level, a jail must provide its inmate population a number of services, including three meals a day, medical and mental health care, clothing and linens, visitation, recreation, religious programs, as well as access to courts and attorneys while maintaining the safety and security of the 24-hour facility. Complicating this task is the risk of illness to both inmates and staff from a global pandemic.

“Our detention deputies and staff have been courageously performing this critically important service for our community,” said Capt. Art Smith. “Every day they work with people who’ve been medically isolated or quarantined with the utmost professionalism. Then, they still have families to go home to, and children to help with online learning. Our detentions deputies and staff are handling all of these new challenges admirably.”

Early on, the Mesa County Detention Facility implemented safety measures recommended by public health to protect inmates, staff and volunteers from the spread of COVID-19. To date, the Mesa County Detention Facility has zero positive cases of COVID-19. For more information about operational changes visit our website.

A wreath is on display honoring
Deputy Edward Innes

National Correctional Officers’ Week is also a time to honor those who have made the ultimate sacrifice for their community. The names of 720 correctional officers are engraved on the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial. One of those names is Deputy Edward Innes, who was killed by an inmate escaping the jail in 1906. A wreath, first displayed in the Mesa County Sheriff's Office lobby, will be placed on Deputy Innes' grave this week to honor and remember his sacrifice. Learn more about Deputy Edward Innes here.

Please join us in thanking all detentions professionals for not only what they do, but more importantly, the personal sacrifices they make to ensure our community remains a safe place to live, work and play.