Hundreds pay tribute to fallen Cortez police officer

Community members expressed shock, sadness and solidarity Wednesday in Cortez as a procession of first responders ferried the body of Cortez Police Sgt. Michael Moran to his funeral.

Bundled against the chilly morning air, collective mourners lined both sides of Main Street, from Chestnut to Harrison streets, as a river of slow-moving emergency vehicles – red and blue lights flashing – rolled through the silent street.

The procession included 192 vehicles and 436 officers from 72 agencies across Southwest Colorado and as far away as Aurora, Farmington and Blanding, Utah.

Some onlookers held American flags. Some removed their ball caps. Some placed a hand over their heart and bowed their heads in tribute. Others held cellphones to capture video as the seemingly endless caravan of vehicles made a slow crawl through downtown Cortez.

All were there to pay respects to family members and colleagues of Sgt. Moran, who was gunned down during a routine traffic stop Nov. 29 in the 800 block of South Broadway Street in southwest Cortez.

The shooter, Jason Campbell, 44, of Ogden, Utah, was located “within minutes” about 1½ miles south of the traffic stop at Aces Storage, where he was shot and killed by law enforcement.

Police have released few details about the suspect or possible motives.

Shak Powers, a lifelong resident of Cortez, said it was important for him to come out Wednesday and show his respects. The community grieves for its officer, his family and the Cortez Police Department, he said.

“They support us every hour of every day of our lives, and when something tragic happens we're called upon to show support for an hour or two – that's not asking very much,” said Powers, as he stood near Market Street and Main Street.

The killing of a police officer in a small town like Cortez shatters the sense of community safety, he said. But the impact is even more profound for law enforcement. The profession has already faced “backlash” for various reasons across the country, he said. The killing of a police officer only heightens safety concerns and further detracts from law enforcement as a public service calling, he said.

“Some people may say, ‘You know, it's not worth it,’” Powers said. “And I think others may step up to the call.

“These things are going to weigh on their (officers’) hearts and minds for a long time. I imagine every officer in the Four Corners is going to maybe have a little sinking feeling in their stomach or heart when they pull somebody over for a traffic violation right now.”

Michael Ferland, who worked briefly in law enforcement, said he would have liked to have seen more people line Main Street. It is a showing of respect, and schools should have closed to allow children and families to pay their respects, he said.

Brad Dreier said he pulled his two daughters out of school for the day.

“This is more educational than anything they’re going to learn in school today,” he said.

His daughters, Lexi, 7, and Kenna, 9, held large American flags as the procession inched eastward on Main Street.

For many residents, Sgt. Moran’s death was an unwelcome reminder of the last time a Cortez Police Department officer was gunned down in the line of duty.

Dale Claxton, 45, was shot and killed during a traffic stop 25 years ago.

Three suspects – Robert Mason, Jason McVean and Alan Pilon – drove away from the May 29, 1998, traffic stop, kicking off a multiweek regional search that included 500 officers from 54 agencies.

All three suspects were eventually found dead in the Utah desert. Mason’s remains’ were found about two weeks after the shooting, Pilon’s remains were found more than a year later, and McVean’s remains were found nine years later. All three likely died of self-inflicted gunshot wounds while on the run.

Residents said Wednesday’s procession for Sgt. Moran seemed bigger than the one held in 1998 for Claxton, likely because so many law enforcement personnel were busy in the weeks after Claxton’s death searching for the suspects.

“It just brings it all back,” said Kim George of Dolores.

George, who used to work as a volunteer with the Montezuma County Sheriff’s Office, said a lot of officers retired earlier than they otherwise would have after Claxton’s shooting. They decided it was no longer worth the risk, she said. She worries the same could happen in the wake of Sgt. Moran’s shooting.

George said police officers go to work to protect the community – “to protect us from all sorts of things that you don't think about” – and they have a right to go home at the end of their shift.

“That day, (Sgt. Moran) got out of his car and he lost his life and he didn't deserve it – he did not deserve it,” George said. “He should be going home to his kids. His kids now have no dad.”

It is important the community show its love, support and appreciation for officers who put their lives on the line, she said.

“We can show our love, we can show we care,” she said. “And that’s what it boils down to, is that we care.”

In recognition of Moran’s service, Colorado Gov. Jared Polis ordered flags be lowered to half-staff from sunrise to sunset Wednesday at public buildings statewide.

“I am saddened to hear of the tragic passing of the Cortez police officer in the line of duty,” he said in a statement. “ … This officer dedicated (his) career to serving and protecting (his) community.”

The procession began about 8:20 a.m. and traveled east on Main Street from about Elm Street to the Cortez Recreation Center.

Ethan Summa of Towaoc said he took a citizen’s police academy with Sgt. Moran, who served as an instructor.

“Sgt. Moran was professional, he was respectful,” Summa said. “He was a great man. He had that code of ethics, the respect and the integrity and everything that came with it.”

Moran’s death has left its mark on the community, from the schools to the wider community, he said. It has created headlines across the country and sparked support from “officer down” organizations.

Vesta Mizell, who also took a citizen’s police academy class with Moran, said she was on her way to New Mexico where she works as a teacher on Wednesday morning. She saw law enforcement staging for the procession and began to cry.

She decided to call in and stay in town.

She said Moran was a “chill dude” – once you got to know him. Prior to meeting him, he seemed “serious,” “stoic” and had a “solid poker face,” she said.

Moran taught a drone class.

“He was really patient with us,” she said. “Once you got to know him, you realize there’s a lot behind that face. When we had the class, he was super sweet – just great. He helped everybody and he was patient.”

Casey Warner, with the Montezuma County Patriots, said as a “patriot” he has a natural instinct to take matters into his own hands. But he knows the police are there to handle certain matters.

People don’t realize a simple traffic stop can be a life-or-death situation, he said.

The shooting death of a police officer is a reminder of the dangers law enforcement face everyday, he said.

“Cortez doesn’t see things like this,” he said. “To be a part of something so big in Cortez, it just touches my heart.”

Erwin Lobato of Cortez said law enforcement are people like everyone else, but with bigger hearts.

“He’s a hero,” Erwin said of Sgt. Moran. “He’s out here protecting all of us.”

shane@durangoherald.com