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Community Comes Out To Honor Fallen Deputy, Extensive Search For 2 Suspects Underway

ADAMS COUNTY, Colo. (CBS4) - For the second time in less than a month, a Colorado deputy has been shot and killed in the line of duty.

Adams County Deputy Heath Gumm was shot Wednesday night after he confronted a man suspected of an assault near East 88th Avenue and Washington Street in the Thornton area.

Deputy Heath Gumm Killed
(credit: CBS)

Gumm leaves behind a wife and family. He had been working for the Adams County Sheriff's Office since 2013. He was 32 and a graduate of Mullen High School in Denver.

Deputy Heath Gumm Killed
(credit: CBS)

"On behalf of the entire sheriff's office, we are praying for the wife and family of our fallen deputy. Please continue to keep them in your thoughts and prayers," said Adams County Sheriff's office spokeswoman Amanda Overton.

Police say the shooter is in custody and they are looking for two other suspects in the case. An intensive search was going on at daybreak Thursday a few streets east of the shooting scene, right by the intersection of Edison Street and Sheldon Drive. Crime tape surrounded a large search perimeter.

"Please understand that this is an active investigation and crime scene and we are still searching for potentially armed and dangerous suspects," Overton said.

The two suspects at large were described as being light-skin or Hispanic males wearing all black clothes. It's not clear what role they may are believed to have played in the crime.

Numerous schools in Adams County are closed Thursday because of the police activity.

Deputy Heath Gumm Killed
Brighton police officers wear a black ribbon over their badge and fight back tears for fallen Adams County Deputy. The hearse carrying Adams County Sheriffs Office Deputy Heath Gumm arrived at the Adams county coroner on Jan. 25, 2018 in Brighton. (credit: John Leyba/The Denver Post via Getty Images)

The community came out to honor the fallen deputy overnight as law enforcement officers escorted Gumm's body from Denver Health Medical Center to the Adams County Coroner's office.

"(Police) don't get enough credit, they really don't," said Jon Dean, who stood by the side of the road as a huge procession of police cars went by. "And we just want to show our support for the family of the fallen."

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Gov. John Hickenlooper issued a statement on the deadly shooting:

"Tonight we watched as a community was on edge and a sheriff's deputy was shot while responding to a call in Adams County. We are deeply saddened to learn that the deputy has died from injuries sustained in the shooting. Our thoughts and prayers are with the Adams County Sheriff's Office and the family and friends of the deputy killed. The investigation is ongoing and authorities continue to work to restore calm to the area."

So far a memorial service hasn't been scheduled for Gumm. The Colorado Police Officers Foundation has set up a fundraiser for his family.

LINK: Fundraiser For Deputy Heath Gumm

Douglas County Sheriff's Deputy Zackari Parrish was killed in the line of duty on New Year's Eve in Highlands Ranch. He was among a group of deputies and a Castle Rock police officer who were ambushed by a gunman, and several officers were injured.

The Douglas County Sheriff's office tweeted Wednesday "Our hearts are heavy tonight as our brothers and sisters at @AdamsCoSheriff navigate through this difficult time. We stand with you."

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