Dear Editor,

On April 26, 2024, a Clear Creek County Jury found former Patrol Deputy Andrew Buen guilty of reckless endangerment but could not reach a verdict on second-degree murder or official misconduct. Today, the District Attorney announced her plans to retry the case.

While the outcome of the retrial will not be known for some time, the Clear Creek County Sheriff's Office will continue our efforts to improve to ensure that the events of June 2022 never happen again. Many policy and organizational changes are underway, including a mental health co-responder program, a new leadership structure, and an overhaul of our policies to ensure they comply with law enforcement best practices.

Sheriff Matthew D. Harris, Ph.D., issued the following statement: “Our community deserves a Sheriff’s Office that reflects our values in this County. The Clear Creek County Sheriff’s Office is not perfect. What happened in June 2022 does not define what we are as an organization and who we are as people. In my short time here, I’ve witnessed the bravery of our patrol staff and the compassion and humane treatment of our inmates. I’ve observed committed administrative staff who help to move our mission forward. I’ve experienced a command staff that cares about our people, their families, and our community. I’ve also made a commitment to the public, our commissioners, and most importantly, to the Glass family to change our operations here. I remain steadfast in fostering a culture of accountability, transparency, and professionalism to earn the public’s trust. Anything less is unacceptable.”

Matthew D. Harris, Ph.D.

Sheriff Clear Creek County