Montrose, CO — The Montrose Post Office could be known moving forward as the “Sergeant David Kinterknecht Post Office” in tribute to “a great police officer, sergeant, family man, and father.”
Sgt. Kinterknecht, a Montrose Police Department officer, lost his life in the line of duty July 25, 2009. His wife, two daughters, and three stepsons survive him.
The U.S. House of Representatives passed a pair of bills authored by Congressman Scott Tipton, R-Co., that will rename post offices in Montrose and Grand Junction after fallen law enforcement officers within Colorado’s 3rd congressional district.
H.R. 6216, to rename a Montrose post office as the “Sergeant David Kinterknecht Post Office” and H.R. 6217, to rename a Grand Junction post office as the “Deputy Sheriff Derek Geer Post Office Building” passed the House by unanimous consent this week.
Tipton mentioned both Kinterknecht and Geer by name on the house floor during a presentation Thursday, November 29, in Washington D.C.
Tipton said Kinterknecht and Geer "were respected law enforcement officers dedicated to public service and family men. Their deaths were mourned by people throughout the Third District and the State of Colorado."
Sgt. Kinterknecht was born and raised in Montrose and was a ten-year veteran of the Montrose Police Department. Kinterknecht began his law enforcement service in the 1980s working for the Telluride Marshall's Office, the San Miguel Sheriff’s Office, and the Montrose County Sheriff's Office before joining the Montrose Police Department.
Montrose Police Chief Blaine Hall said the renaming of the Montrose Post Office after Kinterknecht was "a great honor for a great man."
"Sgt. David Kinterknecht was a great police officer, sergeant, family man, and father," Hall said. "His loss is still felt by our department today. The Police Department is honored that Congressman Tipton and the U.S. House of Representatives have honored David in this way."
Deputy Sheriff Derek Geer of the Mesa County Sheriff’s Office was killed in the line of duty in 2016. Deputy Geer was a U.S. Navy veteran and had served with the Mesa County Sheriff’s Office for 15 years. His wife and two children survive him.
“Sergeant David Kinterknecht and Deputy Sheriff Derek Geer embodied heroism and service. They put their lives on the line every day for their communities. Tragically, they were both taken far too soon, giving all in the line of duty,” said Tipton in a news release. “While we will never be able to repay either of these men for their selfless acts or fill the void left by their loss, naming post offices in their respective communities will honor their lives and ensure that their memories live on.”
In total from Western Colorado, 11 officers have died in the line of duty.
For more city news visit: CityOfMontrose.org.