COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. – El Paso County Sheriff Bill Elder announced the death of a deputy killed in the line of duty on Sunday. Speaking to reporters at UCHealth Memorial Hospital Central, Elder identified the fallen deputy as 39-year-old Andrew Peery.
Peery died while responding to a shooting in the 500 block of Ponderosa Drive in Segurat. Peery and another deputy arrived almost simultaneously with a Fountain police officer and were immediately met with gunfire, Elder said.
Peery was struck by at least one bullet, and officers returned fire with at least one bullet.
“Andrew was a very dedicated and highly decorated SWAT operator for the El Paso County Sheriff’s Office,” Elder said. “He’s been in my office since 2016.”
Law enforcement officers are actively searching for John Paz, a 33-year-old Hispanic male. Paz should be considered armed and dangerous.
“My thoughts and condolences are with the family and friends of Deputy Peery and all of our law enforcement neighbors who put their lives on the line to serve others,” Governor Jared Polis said in a statement on Sunday evening.
Peery is survived by his wife Megan and two children.
A police procession is currently accompanying Deputy Peery’s body to the El Paso County Coroner’s Office.
Offices and the public lined up at the El Paso County corner office, awaiting the procession of Deputy Andrew Peery, who was killed in the line of duty today. @KOAA pic.twitter.com/DgDqHUZ3FQ
– Adam Knapik (@adamknapik) August 8, 2022
Elder said the use of force is currently being investigated by the Colorado Springs Police Department and the 4th Judicial District Attorney’s Office.
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