| Cutrone continues fight to recover from wounds May 13, 2003
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Chris Cutrone |
By Katharhynn Heidelberg
Journal Staff Writer A Colorado State Patrol technician is fighting hard in a Grand Junction hospital, following the onset of "substantial complications" during the weekend, the CSP reported. Chris Cutrone, 29, a member of the CSP’s K-9 program, was shot four times last Thursday in front of the Ute Mountain Casino in Towaoc, after pulling over a vehicle later determined to have been stolen. Cutrone was later airlifted from Cortez to St. Mary’s in Grand Junction Thursday. Although his condition was serious Friday, by Saturday, it had deteriorated to critical, according to a hospital spokesperson. "Cross your fingers and (say) lot of prayers," Mike McGuire of the CSP said Monday. Friends of the Cutrone family — along with several church groups — are doing just that. DeAnne Dickinson has known Cutrone and his family for four years. With other officers, Cutrone had frequented Wild Wild Rest, a business near Mancos, which Dickinson helps her parents operate.
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Derrick |
"He’s very outgoing," Dickinson said. "He would go out of his way to help anybody. "He was there for my family when I was sick in the hospital." Dickinson had been in an intensive care unit previously, battling an illness. Cutrone visited her every day, and made sure her parents were all right. "If you ever needed anything, all you had to do was call," she said. News of Cutrone’s shooting came as a shock. "I know all of the state troopers," Dickinson said. "It was just waiting to find out who it was. "It was a big shock. We’re a police family." The suspect in Cutrone’s shooting, now confirmed as Brent David Derrick, 26, allegedly fled the scene and was apprehended hours later in Towaoc, after a multi-agency manhunt. When contacted by BIA police, Derrick allegedly turned his gun on himself. Derrick was also transported Thursday to St. Mary’s and from there to Denver Health Medical Center. He remains there under heavy guard in a joint effort between the CSP and Denver police and sheriff’s officers, according to CSP Capt. Jim Wolfinbarger. At last report, Derrick’s condition was fair. Derrick is wanted out of Texas for several charges, including assault on a peace officer. Texas officers familiar with Derrick were relieved that he is now in custody, but said their primary concern was for Cutrone. "It’s a tragedy the way that happened," Amarillo Police Sgt. Randy Tembrink said Monday. "We knew if we came across (Derrick) here that (a shooting) was a possibility also. "We considered him armed and dangerous." "(Derrick) just escalated his threat level as he went along," Randall County Sheriff’s Office public information officer Danny Alexander told the Journal Monday. "We’re glad he was caught." Alexander said Derrick had been identified as a suspect in an Amarillo burglary. Sheriff’s officers acted on information that placed Derrick at an Amarillo residence on April 30, and a resident in the home confirmed Derrick was there. "He was hiding in a bathtub behind the shower curtain," Alexander said. "When the deputy pulled the curtain back, Derrick (allegedly) rushed him." The officer fell to the floor, and Derrick allegedly hit him before fleeing the scene. Later that evening, an elderly woman caught Derrick in the act of allegedly burglarizing her home. He allegedly shoved her down, injuring her. The woman’s son arrived and Derrick also allegedly assaulted him before fleeing in the woman’s car, a 1996 Buick LeSabre. The same Buick was recovered Thursday night in Towaoc, after a BIA officer located it in the reservoir known as First Lake. Its plates belonged to a 1992 vehicle; these had also been reported stolen from Texas. Alexander said Randall County is eager to work with Colorado authorities in prosecuting Derrick. "We’re going to work with Colorado," he said. "Our main concern is the officer who was shot. "We’re doing everything we can to help him and his family." Randall County Sheriff Joel Richardson is in constant contact with the CSP and St. Mary’s, Alexander said. "(Derrick) getting caught and off the streets was important, but that officer’s welfare is our main concern," Alexander said. Charges in the Cutrone shooting are pending, but Wolfinbarger said Derrick’s capture gives him a sense of resolution. "It’s encouraging he’s in custody," Wolfinbarger said. "We hope he can recover to face the charges." The Colorado Bureau of Investigation has taken the lead in the investigation. Cutrone’s wife, Cathy, remains with her husband. Their sons, ages 1 and 2, are being cared for by family members, and CSP officers have taken charge of Cutrone’s K-9 partner, Tucker, who was not injured. A fund to help Cutrone and his family is being set up through the CSP Police Protection Division. Details were still being worked out Monday and will be announced as soon as they are known. "It’s great to see the community all pull together in support of him (Cutrone)," Dickinson said. "Keep him in your thoughts." Katharhynn Heidelberg can be reached at katedit@cortez journal.com. Journal Staff Writer Stacey Locke contributed to this report. |
