May 1, 2013

BEBB-JONES PLEADS GUILTY TO MURDERING HIS WIFE AND IS SENTENCED TO 20 YEARS

GARFIELD COUNTY, Colo. –  Marcus Bebb-Jones appeared in the 9th Judicial District court May 1, 2013 for sentencing on the charge of second-degree murder in the heat of passion, in which he plead guilty to on February 15, 2013.  Judge Daniel Petre ordered Bebb-Jones to serve 20 years in the Department of Corrections with credit for time already served.  This charge was part of a Plea Agreement for the murder of his wife, Sabrina Bebb-Jones.  Sabrina was killed September 16th, 1997 and her skull was found by a rancher on Douglass Pass in October 2004.

“While I am pleased the Judge imposed the maximum sentence of 20 years allowed by the plea agreement, as the Sheriff and head of the organization that has spent eight years investigating this case, I continue to oppose this arrangement.  Marcus Bebb-Jones was bound over for First Degree Murder at his Preliminary Hearing based on the evidence presented at that hearing.  Considering what he would have faced in the sentencing range of a First Degree Murder conviction, this plea agreement allows him to skate around spending the rest of his life in prison,” stated Sheriff Lou Vallario.

Bebb-Jones has been awaiting prosecution and sentencing in the Garfield County Jail since his arrest and extradition from England in 2009. 

Sheriff Vallario firmly believes that Marcus Bebb-Jones, by his own admission, murdered his wife Sabrina.  He left a young son without a mother and caused a lifetime of trauma for Sabrina’s family.  “After 16 years of denial and finally being held accountable for his heinous crime, he uttered an admission of guilt.  This will begin the closure and healing for Sabrina’s family who have remained amazingly strong throughout this entire ordeal, but Marcus Bebb-Jones should never walk the earth as a free man.  Unfortunately, as a result of this plea agreement, given his credit for time served and the Department of Corrections procedures for accruing good time and early release, he will in too short of a time, breathe free air again”.

The Garfield County Sheriff’s Office extends our deepest respect and admiration to Sabrina’s family.  We wish them well.     

The mission of the Garfield County Sheriff’s Office is to provide solutions for the people by utilizing and employing strong morals, good character, untarnished integrity, technical knowledge and fiscal responsibility through professional, ethical and equitable conduct.

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April 25, 2013

PINWHEELS FOR PREVENTION CEREMONY

GARFIELD COUNTY, Colo. – During the month of April, the Garfield County Sheriff’s Office is teaming up with Prevent Child Abuse America’s Pinwheels for Prevention, as well as, members of the community to spread awareness of child abuse and neglect by displaying pinwheels throughout Garfield County. The pinwheel is reflective of the bright futures that all children deserve and serves as the new symbol for child abuse and neglect prevention nationwide. 

The Sheriff’s Office would like to invite the community to join in preventing the abuse and neglect of our nation's children by participating in a Pinwheels for Prevention ceremony on Tuesday, April 30, 2013. The ceremony will begin at 6:00 p.m. at the Garfield County Sheriff’s Office – Annex, which is located at 106 County Road 333A in Rifle, Colorado.

The pinwheel represents Prevent Child Abuse America's efforts to change the way our nation thinks about prevention, focusing on community activities and public policies that prioritize prevention right from the start to make sure child abuse and neglect never occur.

The mission of the Garfield County Sheriff’s Office is to provide solutions for the people by utilizing and employing strong morals, good character, untarnished integrity, technical knowledge and fiscal responsibility through professional, ethical and equitable conduct.

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March 21, 2013

TWO DEPUTIES RECEIVE PRESTIGIOUS AWARDS FOR HEROIC ACTIONS

GARFIELD COUNTY, Colo. –  On Wednesday, January 2, 2013 the Garfield County Sheriff’s Office recognized two Deputies for their heroic actions. Deputy Evan Jaramillo was honored with the esteemed lifesaving award and Deputy Brian Sutton was honored with the Medal of Valor award. Surrounded by colleagues, friends and family, Deputy Evan Jaramillo and Deputy Brian Sutton listened as Sheriff Lou Vallario shared the two stories that led to the heroism.
   
On March 1st, 2012 Deputy Brian Sutton was assisting the Colorado State Patrol with multiple accidents on I-70 in the Glenwood Canyon. It was a cold, snowy morning and the Interstate was backing up with accidents due to weather and road conditions.

While directing traffic, Deputy Sutton observed an out of control vehicle headed for a citizen who was standing in the roadway on an elevated section of the Canyon with no escape. Immediately, Deputy Sutton began yelling and sprang into action in an attempt to move him to safety. Unfortunately, both the Deputy and citizen were struck by the vehicle and thrown several feet. Both were transported emergent to Valley View Hospital, where they were treated for serious injuries.

On November 20, 2012 at approximately 5:30 p.m. the Garfield County Emergency Communications Center advised Deputy Even Jaramillo of an EMS call regarding a five year old boy that had stopped breathing.

Deputy Jaramillo responded to the boy’s home located just outside of the Glenwood Springs City limits and contacted the parents who were already performing CPR. Deputy Jaramillo immediately took over and continued performing CPR. After approximately five minutes of chest compressions, the ambulance crew arrived on scene and took over performing CPR. During the administering CPR, the Emergency Services Personnel attached an AED device to the boy.

At approximately 5:49 p.m. EMS announced that the boy’s breathing and pulse had resumed. The boy was immediately transported by ambulance to Valley View Hospital. Upon arrival at the hospital, Deputies learned that the boy was breathing and had stabilized, although he was continuing to experience seizures.

“I did not do anything that anyone of our Deputies wouldn't have done themselves,” said Deputy Jaramillo as he accepted his medallion and pin. “The boy’s life was saved because of the knowledge provided to me through
training at the Garfield County Sheriff’s Office”.

The mission of the Garfield County Sheriff’s Office is to provide solutions for the people by utilizing and employing strong morals, good character, untarnished integrity, technical knowledge and fiscal responsibility through professional, ethical and equitable conduct.

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March 20, 2013

RESULTS ARE IN FROM SPAY DAYS 2013

GARFIELD COUNTY, Colo. – During the week of Monday, March 4th through Saturday, March 9th, 2013, local veterinarians in Garfield County provided discounted rates for dog and cat spays and neuters. All vaccinations were free of charge, along with the purchase of any spay or neuter. Several local veterinarians participated and a total of 376 dogs and cats were spayed and neutered. Dogs that reside in unincorporated Garfield County were also issued county licenses. The discounted rate was made possible by the Garfield County Sheriff’s Office through our Animal Control Program.

The mission of the Garfield County Sheriff’s Office is to provide solutions for the people by utilizing and employing strong morals, good character, untarnished integrity, technical knowledge and fiscal responsibility through professional, ethical and equitable conduct.

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February 15, 2013

BEBB-JONES PLEADS GUILTY TO SECOND DEGREE MURDER

GARFIELD COUNTY, Colo. –  On Friday, February 15, 2013 Marcus Bebb-Jones plead guilty to 2nd degree Murder and accepted a Plea Agreement for the murder of his wife, Sabrina Bebb-Jones. Sabrina was killed in September of 1997 and her skull was found by a rancher on Douglass Pass in October 2004.

Bebb-Jones is scheduled to appear in court for sentencing on May 1, 2013.

“While are glad this case is drawing to a close, we are saddened that Marcus Bebb-Jones was not appropriately convicted of First Degree Murder, as was apparent by the evidence provided during the preliminary hearing”, states Sheriff Lou Vallario.

The Garfield County Sheriff’s Office would like to thank all of those who have worked relentlessly over the past eight years building this case against a heinous killer, particularly the former District Attorney Martin Beeson, former assistant District Attorney Jeff Cheney and the investigative team at the Garfield County Sheriff’s Office.

“We are most grateful and respectful of Sabrina's family who has been so patient and understanding throughout the entire 15 years of their ordeal. Our hearts go out to them and we wish them well.  It is our deepest wishes that they can obtain closure on this case and allow their hearts to heal”, Sheriff Lou Vallario.

The mission of the Garfield County Sheriff’s Office is to provide solutions for the people by utilizing and employing strong morals, good character, untarnished integrity, technical knowledge and fiscal responsibility through professional, ethical and equitable conduct.

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