WATCH: City of Fountain Mayor speaks on fallen officer

Courtesy: El Paso County Sheriff’s Office

Posted: Feb 12, 2023 / 12:50 PM MST

Updated: Feb 12, 2023 / 04:12 PM MST

UPDATE: SUNDAY 2/12/2023 4:012 p.m.

(FOUNTAIN, Colo.) — The City of Fountain’s Mayor, Sharon Thompson, said the City is, “forever grateful” for the service of fallen Fountain Police Officer, Julian Becerra, at a press conference Sunday afternoon on Feb. 12.

“This is a very tough time for our city, and I want all our police officers and first responders to know we are standing with them and by them and are so honored and proud of their service to our community,” said Mayor Thompson. “May God bless Julian Becerra and his family.”

In her public statement, Mayor Thompson addressed the rise in violent crime “seemingly all around us in our communities,” and what can be done to ensure public safety.

“The suspects that Officer Becerra was pursuing the night he was gravely injured were repeat felons with multiple active warrants for their arrest,” stated Mayor Thompson. ” They should never have been out on the streets in the first place.”

Fountain’s Mayor blamed the “lack of accountability in our justice system and failed bail reform initiatives.” She claimed illegal drugs are fueling the surge in crime rates along with state legislation that significantly reduces penalties for offenses linked to serious crimes, which further ’empowers’ criminals. Mayor Thompson called the current environemnt as, “thriving conditions for emboldened criminals.”

“…they were allowed to prey on our citizens and create the circumstances that put Officer Becerra on the Bridge that night,” Mayor Thompson continued. “

To address these issues, Mayor Thompson asked the community to report crimes and cooperate with first responders when needed. Additionally, she urged the public to put pressure on elected representatives.

“Tell them you want more protection from criminals, not leniency and permissiveness,” she stated.

Lastly, Mayor Thompson asked for grace and kindess through simple gestures like “[letting] someone go first in the school drop off line,” or “when someone… [pulls] out in front of you in traffic] as the community works through the tragedy of Officer Becerra’s death.

“I want everyone to know that the City of Fountain is absoltuely unyeilding in our commitment to ensure your safety and security,” Mayor Thompson said. ” We will never stop in our continued efforts to provide the best trained, equipped and professional public safety services available to our community.”