EL PASO COUNTY — There is much more to fallen El Paso County Deputy Andrew Peery than details of the encounter where a suspect shot and killed him. He is a man who leaves behind a legacy of service.
He is a family man. A husband and father, a son, and a friend to many. Then there is the family of law enforcement.
Sergeant Jason Garret with El Paso County Sheriff’s Office posted this on Facebook: ”I worked with him day in and day out for two years on SWAT and as such can testify he was passionate, brave, led well, followed well, and put everything he had and more into being a proficient operator. He was also roundly loved by all who knew and worked with him. He was the best of us.”
Peery worked at El Paso County Sheriff’s Office for six years.
Before coming to Colorado, Peery worked for the Bakersfield California Police Department. Word of Perry’s death in the line of duty motivated this statement from Bakersfield Police Chief Greg Terry, “It is with sadness and a heavy heart that I inform you of the tragic and untimely passing of former Bakersfield Police Department Officer Andrew Peery. It is important that we remember the contributions he made to the Police Department and the impact he had on the citizens of Bakersfield and Kern County.”
Twenty years ago, Matthew Baden served alongside Peery in the Army. He said, “He was an exemplary soldier who always strived to serve his country with honor and continued to serve his community in Colorado Springs.”
Many from the community who have never met Deputy Perry also feel compelled to share their condolences after he was killed while responding to a call. "I just have a strong bond with law enforcement agencies. It really hits me hard when officers lose their lives in the line of duty,” said Linda Bachmeier. She brought flowers to a growing memorial of tokens for Peery outside of the El Paso County Sheriff’s Office.
Peery is survived by his wife Megan and two children. A law enforcement procession accompanied Deputy Peery's body to the El Paso County Coroner's Office. A memorial will be set up at the El Paso County Sheriff's Office on Vermijo Ave today.
For those who would like to help, donations can be made to Deputy Peery's family through Chase Bank under the Hugh Martin Fallen Officers Fund with Andrew Peery in the memo line.
Donations can be mailed to this address.
Hugh Martin & Fallen Officer Foundation
Attn: Robert Johnson, CPA Bradshaw & Associates PLLC
1980 Dominion Way, Suite 100 Colorado Springs, CO 80918
Officials say there are no other official accounts or fundraisers.
RELATED:
Deputy Andrew Peery: A life of service by Bill Folsom
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The Hundred Club of Colorado Springs helps family of fallen deputyby Maggie Bryan
Community pays respects to fallen Deputy Andrew Peery at flag raising ceremony by Ashley Portillo
Law enforcement community in Pueblo reacts to the loss of Deputy Andrew Peery by Sophia King
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