Georgetown, Colo., known for its scenic beauty, was marred by a tragic incident in 2022 when a Clear Creek County Sheriff’s deputy fatally shot 22-year-old Christian Glass. Glass had called for help when his car became stuck, but his mental health episode led to a confrontation with law enforcement. The shooting was captured on body cameras, causing outrage and resulting in criminal charges for four officers.
In December 2023, Matt Harris was appointed as the new sheriff of Clear Creek County, promising to rebuild the department’s reputation through transparency and accountability. With nearly 30 years of federal law enforcement experience, Harris acknowledged the mistakes of the past and vowed to instill a new culture within the office.
However, challenges arose when a local resident, Paul Peavey, went missing and was later found dead. Harris admitted that his department had failed in handling the missing person reports, leading to public criticism. Despite this setback, Harris remained committed to transparency and professionalism, eventually leading to the arrest of a suspect in Peavey’s murder.
The Clear Creek Sheriff’s Office faced internal struggles following the Glass shooting, with a significant number of departures due to low morale and verbal attacks. Harris recognized the need for improvement within the department and has been working to fill vacant positions while striving to address ongoing issues.
While progress has been made under Harris’ leadership, he acknowledges that there is still much work to be done to rebuild trust with the community and ensure that the mistakes of the past are not repeated. Through transparency, integrity, and a dedication to better policing, Harris aims to restore the department’s reputation and provide the residents of Clear Creek County with the quality law enforcement they deserve.
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