ADAMS COUNTY, Colo. – An Adams County Sheriff’s Office deputy was placed on paid administrative leave after he reportedly assaulted a suspect during an arrest in Brighton.
It all happened on March 21 when deputies, along with Brighton Police, were dispatched to the 12000 block of Weld County Road 4 on a call regarding a domestic violence suspect who ran from authorities into the jurisdiction of Weld County.
The suspect climbed onto the rooftop of an outbuilding on the property and refused direct orders to come down. Moments later, an Adams County K-9 handler climbed on the roof with his dog to take the suspect into custody, but during the confrontation the suspect fell off the roof, Weld County Sheriff’s Office spokesperson Matt Turner said in a news release.
Witnesses said that the Adams County deputy, identified as James Cook, 33, “physically forced the suspect off the roof.”
Cook was arrested following an internal investigation and was charged with second-degree assault. He was placed on administrative leave Friday, a few days after the alleged assault.
The suspect, identified as Alejandro Martinez, 24, was arrested and taken to Good Samaritan Hospital in Lafayette for injuries resulting from the fall.
He was charged with criminal mischief, third-degree assault, obstructing a police officer and domestic violence.
Anyone with information regarding this or any other crime is asked to call the Weld County Sheriff’s Office at (970) 356-4015 or Northern Colorado Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477) or 1-800-444-3776.
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