Slain Adams Co. Deputy: Funeral For Heath Gumm

LAFAYTTE, CO -- The funeral of slain Adams Co. Deputy Heath Gumm took place in Lafayette today at Flatirons Community Church in Lafayette. Adams Co. Sheriff's office tweeted photos of law enforcement officers saluting Gumm's family as they arrived at the church.

Around 11:15 a.m., an honor guard accompanied Gumm's flag-draped casket with family members to the front of the 4,500-seat church, accompanied by the Tom Petty song, "I Won't Back Down." On the altar, Gumm's hockey jersey was surrounded by personal mementos, including a wedding portrait.

Thousands of uniformed officers from law enforcement agencies across the state filled the church's sanctuary.

"In truth, none of us want to be here today," said Officiator Brian Henderson."But it is good that you are, because we can help and hold each other as we experience the grief that now is."

Gumm's father retired firefighter Jim Gumm thanked the visiting officers and emergency workers: "For all the first responders in this room: Thank you so much. You are helping people in their worst and most difficult times," he said. "Please be careful."

Jim Gumm read a statement from Gumm's wife Natasha Boettcher.

"Heath was my rock, my guiding light. We were always after the next adventure, big or small, and we spent most of our waking moments together smiling," she said. "It will be hard to live without the Louis of my Clark ... I only hope he knows how much I and the rest of us here loved and cherished him. I ask all of you here. Can we please end these awful, pointless tragedies?"

Adams Co. Sheriff Michael McIntosh said that Gumm was on track to be promoted from patrol deputy to detective. McIntosh said he would posthumously promote Gumm to detective and hoped Gumm's spirit would help the detectives who were now working on the case to solve Gumm's murder. It was unclear whether that posthumous promotion would affect death-benefits to Gumm's family.

I-25 and Colorado Highway 7 were both briefly closed for the funeral procession Friday morning.

Gumm, 31, was shot and killed during a disturbance call in Thornton on Jan. 24. Officers arrested Dreion Martise Dearing, 22, of Fort Collins, who appeared in court last week, facing several charges of first-degree murder.

HEATH GUMM OBITUARY VIA LEGACY.COM

Heath McDonald Gumm, 31, passed away in Denver, Colorado on January 24, 2018. Heath was born March 23, 1986 in Denver, Colorado to James and Rebecca (McDonald) Gumm. He graduated from Mullen High School in 2004 and earned his POST certification from Arapahoe Community College in 2011. He worked for Cripple Creek Police Department and Adams County Sheriff's Department. He was awarded the Distinguished Service Medal by Adams County Sheriff's Department in 2017. Heath loved traveling, being outdoors, spending time with friends and family and playing hockey. He was loved by everyone who met him. His kindness, easy going nature and wonderful sense of humor will be missed. He will be remembered as an amazing husband, son, grandson, brother, cousin, nephew and friend. He is survived by his parents Jim and Beckie Gumm, wife Natasha Boettcher, grandmother Leona McDonald, sister Lorelei Gumm-Martinez, and brother-in-law Nicholas (JR) Martinez. A Memorial Service is scheduled for Friday, February 2, 2018 at 11:00 at Flatirons Community Church 355 W South Boulder Rd, Lafayette, CO 80026. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to: Children's Hospital of Colorado.

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