Roll of Honor
Derek Mace Geer
Incident
Deputy Sheriff Derek Geer succumbed to gunshot wounds sustained the previous day while attempting to question a juvenile in the area of 30 Road and E Road, in Grand Junction, at approximately 11:15 a.m.
He and other deputies were investigating reports of an armed subject in the area and spotted the juvenile, who matched the description of the subject. As Deputy Geer spoke to the juvenile, the boy asked him if he was being detained. When Deputy Geer told him that he was being detained the boy pulled away from him and a struggle ensued.
Deputy Geer deployed a taser, however, the subject was able to pull out a handgun and open fire. Deputy Geer was struck multiple times, including in the face. He was able to radio for assistance but had become unresponsive by the time another deputy arrived at his location. He was transported to St. Mary's Hospital where he remained on life support so his organs could be donated.
The juvenile was arrested a short time later after being found hiding in the backyard of a nearby home. He was sentenced to 70 years in prison in June 2018.
Deputy Geer was a U.S. Navy veteran and had served with the Mesa County Sheriff's Office for 15 years.
Survivors
He is survived by his wife and two children.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-CO-9AA09FD9- Stewardship
- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- April 2, 2026
- Last updated
- July 23, 2026
Honored here by 1 sentinel - 1 tribute.
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Tributes
I served 1985 to 1993. You served too, before the badge - different uniform, same idea. You go where you are sent and you do not get to pick the call.
Deputy Sheriff Geer gave the Mesa County Sheriff's Office 15 years.
Thank you for your service to the Grand Junction community. Thank you for your service before it. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, brother.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Military Service
Derek Mace Geer served in the Navy (1995â1999) before joining law enforcement.
Deputy Sheriff Derek Mace Geer is one of 17,623 officers killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty across the full record of this memorial — 54.2% of all 32,508 officers honored here.
In CO, 235 of 360 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 65.3% of this state's fallen. That is 11.1 percentage points above the national rate of 54.2%.
At Mesa County Sheriff's Office, 2 of 3 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 66.7% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Derek Mace Geer's cause is highlighted.
How Derek Mace Geer Compares
Offender Outcome
Sentenced to 70 years
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Derek Mace Geer is highlighted in Feb.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Derek Mace Geer was killed by handgun.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
2 officers from Mesa County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.
