50 CENTS
February 1, 2018
ADAMS COUNTY, COLORADO
A publication of
COOL HOBBY: Young outdoor enthusiasts learn fun of ice fishing P16
Grief in wake of Adams County deputy shooting Many questions surround Jan. 24 shooting near Thornton BY SCOTT TAYLOR STAYLOR@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM
The only thing that the Adams County Sheriff ’s Department was saying officially about a Jan. 24 shooting in the 8700 block of Dawson Street was that one of their own, 31-year-old Deputy Heath Gumm, had been shot and killed. From Sheriff Michael McIntosh to District Attorney Dave Young, officials were silent on just about everything else they know about the shooting, from what led up to it to what kind of weapon was used. Via Twitter on Jan. 26, the sheriff ’s office identified 22-year-old Dreion Martise Dearing as the suspected shooter, but McIntosh declined to talk about the suspect and demanded that media not use his photograph. Dearing was in court Jan. 26 facing charges of first-degree murder of a police officer, assault and burglary and was due back in court Jan. 31 for a formalcharges hearing. It’s a sad, difficult time for his office, McIntosh said at Jan. 26 press conference, before asking the media to give deputies the weekend off from media questions. SEE DEPUTY, P6
People leave flowers on an Adams County cruiser, part of an informal memorial to Adams County Deputy Heath Gumm during a press conference at the Adams County Sheriff’s Department substation, 74th and Colorado Boulevard, on Jan. 25. Gumm was killed Jan. 24. Gumm’s funeral has been set for 11 a.m. Feb. 2 at Flatirons Community Church in Lafayette. SCOTT TAYLOR
THE BOTTOM LINE PERIODICAL
‘Land without wildlife is like a house without people.’ Columnist Ron Hellbusch urging suburban rules that project wildlife.| Page 47
INSIDE
VOICES: PAGE 14 | LIFE: PAGE 16 | CALENDAR: PAGE 25 | SPORTS: PAGE 27
Northglenn-ThorntonSentinel.com
VOLUME 54 | ISSUE 25