Deputy Derek Geer, 40, was mortally wounded in the line of duty on Monday, February 8, 2016. A 15-year Mesa County, Colorado Deputy Sheriff veteran, Derek loved law enforcement and his community.
Everyone who knew Derek said he was perfectly suited to his career, always ready to help both his community and his brothers and sisters in law enforcement, and always relating to people in a down-to-earth, sincere way.
Born into a military family, Derek grew up around the world, spending much time in Japan and The Netherlands. But Colorado was the family home and they returned to Grand Junction, where Derek graduated from Central High School in 1994. He enlisted in the Navy and was stationed at Lemoore Naval Air Station.
Derek met his wife and best friend, Kate, during the last few months of his service. He was honorably discharged from active duty in October, 1999 and they moved to Grand Junction and married on November 8, 1999.
After being married for a year, Derek discovered his passion was to go into law enforcement. He attended the Delta-Montrose Technical College where he graduated from the police academy program in April 2001. So afterward he was hired by the Mesa County Sheriff’s Office, where he spent his entire 15-year career.
Deputy Derek Geer is survived by his wife, Kate, their 13 year-old son, Ian, and their 11 year-old daughter Macey, whom they adopted from China. He is remembered as an honorable man a wonderful husband and father. He loved teasing all his friends’ kids and they loved him for it. He was always trying to find ways to help out the local schools or just walk through and visit with the students.
