On the evening of January 24, 2018, Adams County Sheriff’s Deputy Heath Gumm, 31, was killed in Thornton, Colorado. Deputies responded to the 8700 block of Dawson Street about 7:00 p.m. after a report of an assault in progress. A male matching the description fled on foot; as deputies pursued him behind a house, the suspect produced a handgun and fired. Deputy Gumm was struck in the chest, taken to Denver Health Medical Center, and pronounced dead. The fatal round struck an unprotected area despite the deputy wearing a protective vest.

Authorities launched a manhunt that quickly zeroed in on Dreion Martise Dearing, who was apprehended at the scene and charged with multiple counts including first-degree murder of a peace officer. A later lawsuit alleged the initial assault report involved a confrontation related to a man accused of sexually assaulting Dearing’s younger cousin. At trial the prosecution said Dearing ambushed the deputy; the defense said he acted in self-defense, claiming the deputy fired first. A jury convicted Dreion Dearing of first-degree murder in October 2020 and sentenced him to life without parole.

Does anyone in the area remember seeing activity on Dawson Street that night or have information about the people involved?