It's Correctional Officers Week and Mesa County is remembering one of its fallen heroes.

The Mesa County Sheriff's Office Wall of Honor is a place where heroes are honored and remembered. You'll find a tribute to Deputy Derek Geer who was killed in 2016 while responding to a report of a man with a gun. On the wall, you'll also find the story of Deputy Edward Innes, the first Mesa County law enforcement officer to die in the line of duty.

Fateful Day For Deputy Edward Innes

The date was September 26, 1906, when Geroge McGarvey escaped from a jail truck. He had been in jail since April on charges of attempting to criminally assault a 9-year-old girl. McGarvey struck Deputy Innes in the back of the head with a piece of kindling. Innes died the following day at the age of 28.

Swift Justice

McGarvey was captured on September 30 by a DeBeque rancher. He was tried on October 3, convicted on October 4, and sentenced to death by hanging on October 5.

Serving the Grand Junction Community

William Innes, the father of Deputy Edward Innes,  was Mesa County's first elected sheriff from 1885-1886. Edward would serve as Chief of the Grand Junction Fire Department for several years before becoming employed at the Mesa County Jail.

Honors For Innes

In 2000, Edward Innes was inducted into the Colorado Law Enforcement Memorial, and in 2007 was added to the National Law Enforcement Memorial. He was awarded the Medal of Honor posthumously in 2017.

This week we remember and honor Deputy Innes and his unfortunate death reminds us all these years later of how the correctional officers of Mesa County put their lives on the line every single day. To each of these officers, we offer a sincere and heartfelt salute.

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