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Incident
Detective Heath Gumm was shot and killed during a foot pursuit near 88th Avenue and Dawson Street in Thornton.
Deputies had responded to an assault in progress call at approximately 7:30 pm and became involved in a foot pursuit with one of the subjects. The man ran behind a house in the 8700 block of Dawson Street. As Deputy Gumm ran behind the house, he was shot by the subject and struck in the chest.
The subject was apprehended and charged with the murder of a peace officer and two additional counts of murder. On October 2020, the suspect was found guilty of first-degree murder and sentenced to life in prison without parole. A search continued for two additional subjects.
Detective Gumm first served with the Cripple Creek Police Department and later with the Adams County Sheriff’s Office for four years.
Survivors
He is survived by his wife, parents, sister, and grandmother.
In Our Keeping
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- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Detective Gumm gave the Adams County Sheriff's Office 5 years.
Thank you for your service to the Brighton community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Detective Gumm.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Adams County Sheriff's Office has lost 6 officers; 2 of them killed feloniously.
Heath is one of 236 officers killed feloniously in CO, 65.4% of the 361 remembered there.
Heath is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Heath is one of 17,631 officers killed feloniously worldwide, 52% of the 33,917 remembered here.
33,917 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 2018, 3 officers in CO were killed feloniously, the 17th heaviest of 113 years on record. The heaviest was 1929, with 9.
In 2018, 66 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 109th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 2018, 69 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 109th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Heath was 31. Of the 184 killed feloniously in CO whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 47; the middle age was 39. Heath had served 5 years; the middle length of service was 4 years.
Heath was 31. Of the 14,220 killed feloniously in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 47; the middle age was 38. Heath had served 5 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Heath was 31. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Heath had served 5 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
January holds 7.2% of these deaths in CO; October holds the most, 11.9%. Wednesdays: 17.4%.
January holds 8% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Wednesdays: 12.9%.
January holds 7.9% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Wednesdays: 13.2%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 33.3% of all 6 deaths at Adams County Sheriff's Office, the 2nd most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 50% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 65.4% of all 361 deaths in CO, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 27.5% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 57.1% of all 27,551 deaths in the United States, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 23.4% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 52% of all 33,917 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 20.9% of these deaths.
His people
Adams County Sheriff's Office has 6 officers remembered here, Heath among them.
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 27-E
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
5 officers from Adams County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.
