Montrose, CO — A United States Postal Service facility in Montrose is now known as the Sergeant David Kinterknecht Post Office Building following a renaming ceremony held Thursday honoring the Montrose Police Department's fallen officer.
Sgt. Kinterknecht lost his life in the line of duty on July 25, 2009, while responding to a domestic violence call. His wife, two daughters, and three stepsons survive him.
The ceremony, held at the Montrose Elks Lodge, served as a tribute to Sgt. Kinterknecht, his family and all members of law enforcement. The post office building located at 321 South First Street will now bear his name.
“Today we memorize Sgt. David Kinterknecht by renaming the Montrose United States Post Office in his honor,” Montrose Mayor Dave Bowman said. “A grateful community recognizes Sgt. Kinterknecht and his family for their sacrifice but in a larger sense by bestowing an honor in the memory of Sgt. Kinterknecht, a grateful nation pays homage to all law enforcement (members) past, present, and future. They are dedicated professionals who every day put their lives on the line to preserve our safety and liberty.”
Thursday's ceremony also featured remarks by retired Montrose Chief of Police Tom Chinn, George Rossman representing U.S. Congressman Scott Tipton’s office, Postal Inspector in Charge Bill Hedrick, and USPS Colorado/Wyoming District Manager Humberto Trujillo.
Montrose Police Chief Blaine Hall said the renaming of the Montrose post office after Kinterknecht was "a great honor for a great man."
"He was a hero in our community and he is still missed today, ten years later," Montrose Police Chief Blaine Hall said. "It is such a tribute to his memory that our post office will be named after David."
Late last year, 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.
Tipton mentioned both Kinterknecht and Geer by name on the house floor during a presentation Thursday, November 29, 2018, in Washington D.C.
Sgt. Kinterknecht was born and raised in Montrose and was a ten-year veteran of the Montrose Police Department. He began his law enforcement service in the 1980s working for the Telluride Marshall's Office, the San Miguel County Sheriff’s Office and the Montrose County Sheriff's Office before joining the Montrose Police Department.
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 November 2018 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.”
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