The Cortez Police department is prioritizing support for the family of fallen officer Sgt. Michael Moran, who was fatally shot during a traffic stop. The shooter, who was later killed in a gunfire exchange, has not been positively identified. The investigation is ongoing. The Grand Junction Daily Sentinel reported
The Cortez Police Department is currently focusing its attention on the family of Sgt. Michael Moran, an officer who tragically lost his life during a traffic stop on Wednesday morning. The identity of the shooter, who was killed in a subsequent exchange of gunfire with other officers, has not been officially confirmed, leading to limited information about the individual. Cortez Police Chief Vernon Knuckles and Montezuma County Sheriff Steve Nowlin emphasized that no one is currently in custody, as the shooter is deceased and the second person in the suspect vehicle was not arrested.
According to reports, Moran pulled over a vehicle on South Broadway in Cortez after receiving a complaint about reckless driving. Unfortunately, a person in the vehicle opened fire, fatally wounding Moran. He was later pronounced dead at Southwest Memorial Hospital. Following the shooting, the suspect fled a short distance before being located by another Cortez police officer and a Montezuma County Sheriff’s Office deputy. Knuckles stated that the suspect engaged these officers as well, resulting in a second exchange of gunfire that ultimately led to the suspect’s death.
Knuckles described the events of Wednesday as a “senseless and somber day” and disclosed that the 6th and 22nd Judicial Districts Shoot Team, along with the Colorado Bureau of Investigation, are conducting an ongoing investigation. However, due to the suspect’s unidentified status, Knuckles could not confirm whether the individual had any previous encounters with law enforcement.
Sheriff Nowlin emphasized that the entire incident occurred within a matter of minutes. He stated that there was only a short time frame between Moran’s shooting and the subsequent gun battle with the other officer and deputy, which took place approximately three-quarters to one mile away.
Moran, who joined the CPD in 2012 and became a K9 handler, had previously served in the Marines for nine years, including two tours in Iraq. He leaves behind two daughters and other family members. Knuckles expressed his gratitude for the tremendous support received from the community and other agencies during this difficult time.
The press conference concluded with Knuckles outlining the current priorities of the CPD. He stated that the well-being of Officer Moran’s family is of utmost importance. Secondly, the agency itself is a priority, followed by the ongoing investigation, which, despite being listed as the third priority, remains high on their agenda.
Moran’s death is the first line-of-duty fatality for the Cortez Police Department since 1998 when Officer Dale Claxton was fatally shot while stopping a stolen truck. Various law enforcement agencies offered their condolences to the Cortez Police Department, including Montrose Police Chief Blaine Hall, who acknowledged the similarities to the 2009 line-of-duty death of Montrose Police Sgt. David Kinterknecht.
The Montrose County Sheriff’s Office also extended their support and condolences to the Cortez Police Department during this time of grief. Moran’s death marks the third line-of-duty fatality this year among Colorado law enforcement agencies, according to Officer Down, an organization that provides brief information about such incidents on its website.
In February, Fountain Police Officer Julian Becerra lost his life after falling off an overpass while chasing carjacking suspects. In September, Colorado Department of Corrections Parole Officer Christine Guerin-Sandoval was struck and killed by a vehicle during an attempted arrest of a parolee. Additionally, Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office K9 Graffit was fatally shot while assisting the Golden Police and Colorado School of Mines police departments in detaining a suspect..