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Cutrone |
Thursday was a good day all around for Colorado State Patrol Technician Chris Cutrone and his family. Nearly one month after sustaining multiple gunshot wounds in the line of duty, Cutrone was to be released from a Grand Junction hospital, according to his wife, Cathy, who said Thursday he would be coming home that night. "It’s a good day," she said via telephone. "It’s quicker than I expected. I’m really happy, and he’s doing great." Cutrone, 29, was shot at least four times on May 8, after he pulled over a vehicle another officer had called in as suspicious. The driver fled, prompting a manhunt and the lockdown of nearby Ute Mountain Casino. The suspect was apprehended in Towaoc that evening, after allegedly turning his gun on himself. "You just never know," Cathy Cutrone said. "They (officers) know (the risk) being in the career they’ve chosen, but you still don’t think it will ever happen and you pray it will never happen." Both Cutrone and the suspect, Brent Derrick, 26, were taken to St. Mary’s Hospital in Grand Junction. Derrick was released into the custody of the Montezuma County Sheriff’s Office during the weekend of May 17. Cutrone remained in Grand Junction, battling his wounds — and winning. Cutrone came through his last surgery on May 29 very well, Cathy Cutrone said. Further surgery is not expected at any time soon, though a wound on his hand is still healing and may require attention down the road. "Every day he gets better, and every day, I feel better," Cathy Cutrone said. "It was tough for a while." Cutrone will remain in Grand Junction for at least another month, as he undergoes rehabilitation on an outpatient basis. He will live there with his family during this time, in a rented home that was last week graced with the presence of his two small sons. Cathy Cutrone said the boys were excited to see their father and are also adjusting well. "He’s strong," she said of her husband. "He’s got the endurance and he’s exceeding anyone’s expectations . . . he doesn’t let this get him down." The support of friends, family, coworkers and the Cortez-area community has helped make the Cutrone family’s tough time a little easier to bear, Cathy Cutrone said. "It’s hard to be uprooted from your home and your town, and be away from our friends and your own things," she said. However, several friends and family members have come to them, and coworkers brought Cutrone’s K-9 partner, Tucker, for visits, while others put their noses to the grindstone at the Cutrones’ Dolores residence. A friend of the family is staying at the home round the clock, and has organized a group of people to perform yard work and home improvement duties. "She’s been wonderful," Cathy Cutrone said. "I don’t have to worry at all about anything at home. The community has been awesome." Cutrone’s father also praised the community for its support and said the family had been "overwhelmed" at the outpouring of generosity. Thursday, District Attorney Olt announced additional charges against Derrick, who had originally been charged with attempted murder of a peace officer. According to a motion to amend filed Thursday, Derrick is now facing charges of attempted first-degree murder after deliberation, a class-2 felony that could bring up to 48 years in prison upon conviction under aggravated circumstances. Derrick has also been charged with first-degree assault on a peace officer with a deadly weapon, a class-3 felony; first-degree assault causing serious bodily injury with a deadly weapon, also a class-3 and with a second-class misdemeanor of prohibited used of a weapon. Federal charges in the shooting are still pending investigation. Derrick is also wanted in Randall County, Texas, for alleged burglary and alleged assault on both a sheriff’s deputy and an elderly woman, whose car he is accused of having stolen. He is said to have been driving that car at the time of the Cutrone shooting, and it was later recovered from a reservoir near Towaoc. Cathy Cutrone said she could not understand why people do the types of things with which Derrick has been charged. "I hope he (Derrick) never sees the light of day again," if convicted, she said. "I don’t know what people are thinking...how they can hurt another person and devastate his family." But, she added, her husband is a fighter and is already planning to return to duty. "He said he just can’t wait. I think that’s what’s driving him now. He wants to go back to work as soon as possible." The shooting turned her family’s life upside down "in a split second," but Cutrone’s strength is righting it again. "I’m proud of him. He’s a great person and an awesome trooper. I’m even more proud of him now that he wants to go back to work," Cathy Cutrone said. "He loves helping people ... I wouldn’t expect anything else of him. "I think it’s going to end up having good outcome, so we can all thank God for that." Contributions still welcome Donations to help Cutrone and his family are still being accepted on behalf of the Colorado State Patrol Benevolent Foundation at: First National Bank of Cortez, care of Technician Chris Cutrone, P.O. Drawer A, Cortez, CO 81321. The direct routing number, 102104888, may be written on checks. For more information about donations, contact 970-565-3791. Cards in support of Cutrone may be sent to the Colorado State Patrol, Fruita Office, 554 Jurassic Court, Fruita, CO 8152. The Cutrone family told the Journal it is extremely grateful for all cards and support that have been received.
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