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Tuesday December 20, 2022
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Welcome To The 25th Issue of Volume 2!
Stand Off in Silver Cliff ends Peacefully
Case Number 22-0834, 22-0837 December 19, 2022
On Saturday, December 17, 2022, Deputy Reeve responded to a disturbance near Lea
Lane in Westcliffe, Colorado. When deputy Reeve arrived, he found a 61-year-old
male assault victim who was bleeding. Aaron Jones age 30 of Westcliffe, was also on-
scene and was determined to be the assailant. When Deputy Reeve attempted to
arrest Jones, Jones resisted. Deputy Reeve called for emergency assistance and an
off-duty deputy was able to respond to the scene and help take Jones into custody.
Two additional state troopers were requested from Pueblo to assist. Jones was
booked into the Custer County Jail on the charges of 3 rd Degree Assault and Resisting
Arrest.
Jones was bonded out of jail with a condition of bond to not possess firearms or
consume alcohol on Saturday night.
On Sunday, December 18, 2022, at about 9:13 a.m., Frecom Regional Communications
Center received at least three 911 calls about shots being fired in the vicinity of 706
Butler Street in Silver Cliff, Colorado. Sergeant Salbato responded to the area in. fully
marked Custer Sheriff SUV. Upon arriving, Aaron Jones exited his camper and fired
three shots in rapid succession. Sergeant Salbato immediately backed his vehicle out
of the line of fire and requested emergency assistance. Three off-duty members of
the sheriff’s office and one state trooper responded to the area. Upon arrival, the
deputies took up defensive positions and began a house-to-house evacuation. During
this time one of the original 911 callers identified a bullet hole in her home, fired by
Aaron Jones from his camper. The occupants of one home were directly in the line of
fire but were not able to be evacuated safety due to a medical restriction. Deputies
requested an ambulance to respond and stand by a few blocks away.
During this time; Frecom 911, Aaron Jones’ mother and Aaron Jones’s brother
attempted to make telephone contact. Deputies on scene also used a loudspeaker to
order Jones to leave the dwelling with his hands up.
The Custer County Sheriff’s Office requested a mutual aid response from the Fremont
County SWAT team. Custer also requested a tall bullet proof vehicle that could be
used as a shield to protect the home that was occupied by the medical patient should
Aaron Jones begin firing again.
The FCSO SWAT team arrived along with the FCSO Crisis Negotiation Team (CNU).
After numerous attempts by CNU failed, a chemical irritant was introduced into the
camper. Jones was observed using his fists to punch out the glass windows in the
camper, resulting in self injury. He then came out of the camper and was taken into
custody. Jones was transported by ambulance to a medical facility for treatment. In
conjunction with a search warrant all firearms and ammunition in the camper were
seized.
Jones is being charged with the following charges: Felony Menacing, Illegal Discharge
of a firearm, prohibited use of a weapon, criminal mischief, violation of multiple
protection orders, disorderly conduct, obstructing government operations, reckless
endangerment, and violation of bond conditions. Pending an investigation one other
local person may be charged in conjunction with this incident.
This operation could not have been carried out successfully with a peaceful resolution
without the assistance of our partners with the Fremont County SWAT team, Frecom
911 Regional Center, Custer EMS, Wet Mountain Volunteer Fire Department, and the
Colorado State Patrol
###
The information contained in this release is based on information taken from initial
police reports and initial reports from other agencies and should not be considered as
complete. Any charges alleged in this press release are merely an accusation and the
defendant is presumed innocent until or unless proven guilty. The dispatch center of
the Custer County Sheriff’s Office is not authorized to release any additional
information not contained in this release and may not comment on any information
contained in this release. Calls for additional information should be directed to
Deputy Nathan Koury or Undersheriff Lloyd Rich Smith at 719-783-2270
On Saturday, December 17, 2022, Deputy Reeve responded to a disturbance near Lea
Lane in Westcliffe, Colorado. When deputy Reeve arrived, he found a 61-year-old
male assault victim who was bleeding. Aaron Jones age 30 of Westcliffe, was also on-
scene and was determined to be the assailant. When Deputy Reeve attempted to
arrest Jones, Jones resisted. Deputy Reeve called for emergency assistance and an
off-duty deputy was able to respond to the scene and help take Jones into custody.
Two additional state troopers were requested from Pueblo to assist. Jones was
booked into the Custer County Jail on the charges of 3 rd Degree Assault and Resisting
Arrest.
Jones was bonded out of jail with a condition of bond to not possess firearms or
consume alcohol on Saturday night.
On Sunday, December 18, 2022, at about 9:13 a.m., Frecom Regional Communications
Center received at least three 911 calls about shots being fired in the vicinity of 706
Butler Street in Silver Cliff, Colorado. Sergeant Salbato responded to the area in. fully
marked Custer Sheriff SUV. Upon arriving, Aaron Jones exited his camper and fired
three shots in rapid succession. Sergeant Salbato immediately backed his vehicle out
of the line of fire and requested emergency assistance. Three off-duty members of
the sheriff’s office and one state trooper responded to the area. Upon arrival, the
deputies took up defensive positions and began a house-to-house evacuation. During
this time one of the original 911 callers identified a bullet hole in her home, fired by
Aaron Jones from his camper. The occupants of one home were directly in the line of
fire but were not able to be evacuated safety due to a medical restriction. Deputies
requested an ambulance to respond and stand by a few blocks away.
During this time; Frecom 911, Aaron Jones’ mother and Aaron Jones’s brother
attempted to make telephone contact. Deputies on scene also used a loudspeaker to
order Jones to leave the dwelling with his hands up.
The Custer County Sheriff’s Office requested a mutual aid response from the Fremont
County SWAT team. Custer also requested a tall bullet proof vehicle that could be
used as a shield to protect the home that was occupied by the medical patient should
Aaron Jones begin firing again.
The FCSO SWAT team arrived along with the FCSO Crisis Negotiation Team (CNU).
After numerous attempts by CNU failed, a chemical irritant was introduced into the
camper. Jones was observed using his fists to punch out the glass windows in the
camper, resulting in self injury. He then came out of the camper and was taken into
custody. Jones was transported by ambulance to a medical facility for treatment. In
conjunction with a search warrant all firearms and ammunition in the camper were
seized.
Jones is being charged with the following charges: Felony Menacing, Illegal Discharge
of a firearm, prohibited use of a weapon, criminal mischief, violation of multiple
protection orders, disorderly conduct, obstructing government operations, reckless
endangerment, and violation of bond conditions. Pending an investigation one other
local person may be charged in conjunction with this incident.
This operation could not have been carried out successfully with a peaceful resolution
without the assistance of our partners with the Fremont County SWAT team, Frecom
911 Regional Center, Custer EMS, Wet Mountain Volunteer Fire Department, and the
Colorado State Patrol
###
The information contained in this release is based on information taken from initial
police reports and initial reports from other agencies and should not be considered as
complete. Any charges alleged in this press release are merely an accusation and the
defendant is presumed innocent until or unless proven guilty. The dispatch center of
the Custer County Sheriff’s Office is not authorized to release any additional
information not contained in this release and may not comment on any information
contained in this release. Calls for additional information should be directed to
Deputy Nathan Koury or Undersheriff Lloyd Rich Smith at 719-783-2270
Photo by Tracy Ballard of The Valley Beat
Volunteers Place 336 Wreaths in Custer County Last Saturday as Part of the Wreaths Across America Program
Every year, Veterans that have passed away have been honored with a wreath placed upon his grave every Christmas, both in national cemeteries and in others all over this beautiful country they so valiantly served. For the first time, the local American Legion Post 170 led by Jurgen Schwanke brought the annual program to fruition.
Last Saturday, December 17, around 50 volunteers came out to the Silver Cliff Park to participate in the program - complete with a flyover - and join others in placing the wreaths at five Custer County cemeteries, to include Silver Cliff, Our Lady of Assumption Catholic, Lutheran, Ula and Rosita. The 336 wreaths were purchased by local donations and often in honor of loved ones that served in a branch of the U.S. Armed Forces.
Once at the cemetery, volunteers placed the wreaths on the grave, said the veteran’s name, and thanked the veteran for his or her service and gave a slow salute. From start to finish, it was a very emotional and moving day for all.
For more information on Wreaths Across America, please visit: www.wreathsacrossamerica.org. Many kudos and thanks go to Schwanke for taking this program on and organizing it over the last year.
Tracy Ballard
Last Saturday, December 17, around 50 volunteers came out to the Silver Cliff Park to participate in the program - complete with a flyover - and join others in placing the wreaths at five Custer County cemeteries, to include Silver Cliff, Our Lady of Assumption Catholic, Lutheran, Ula and Rosita. The 336 wreaths were purchased by local donations and often in honor of loved ones that served in a branch of the U.S. Armed Forces.
Once at the cemetery, volunteers placed the wreaths on the grave, said the veteran’s name, and thanked the veteran for his or her service and gave a slow salute. From start to finish, it was a very emotional and moving day for all.
For more information on Wreaths Across America, please visit: www.wreathsacrossamerica.org. Many kudos and thanks go to Schwanke for taking this program on and organizing it over the last year.
Tracy Ballard
Photos by Tracy Ballard and Facebook Post by Richard Posadas
Christmas Traditions Around the World
In the United States, we have our own traditions and customs when it comes to Christmas. It's celebrated on December 25, you put up a tree, go to church, sing songs, watch movies, and open presents. We're used to tradition in our country, but what about other parts of the world? Well, even though those countries might not be Christian or built upon religious values, they still celebrate Christmas. Taiwan, for example, celebrates, although it's not a national holiday and only five percent of the population is Christian. Their stores still sell holiday merchandise and in English schools, they have Christmas festivals with singing and gift exchanges.
Lithuania, a little known celtic country, celebrates Christmas, however, Christmas Eve is more important. They spend all day fasting so they can prepare for a big feast called the Kūčios meal which has twelve dishes symbolizing each one of Jesus's disciples, none of the dishes should contain meat. Afterward, they have gift exchanges while children await a visit from 'The Old Man of Christmas.’ When presents have been opened and handed out, the children are tucked into bed and the adults might go to a midnight mass or the Shepard's mass.
A cold country near Canada called Greenland, also has some very fascinating customs. It is popular to put light- up stars in the windows, both for the tradition and for the utility of it. Greenland is so far north that the sun doesn't rise in the winter. The country also claims that it is the chosen vacation spot of Santa Claus during his summer holidays. During Christmas, the people eat a food called Mattack which is a whale skin with a strip of blubber inside. Apparently, this unusual food tastes like a fresh coconut? Might be something to try sometime if you're into experimenting with new foods.
Moving away from those frigid countries up north, the next country that has some interesting traditions is Ethiopia. In this African country, Christmas isn't even celebrated on the 25th! Instead, they use their own calendar from the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church. This calendar marks Christmas as the 29th of Tahsus or for us, on December 7. Before Christmas even begins, they fast for 43 days called the “Fast of the Prophets” where they only eat vegan foods for one meal of the day. It's also tradition that one of the wise men that visited Jesus in Bethlehem, was from Ethiopia.
Speaking of Bethlehem, despite being a Palestinian territory, Christmas is still proudly celebrated. On Christmas Eve, they throw a massive parade through the town playing bagpipes, which is a throwback to when the British once occupied the area. There is also the “Mass of the Nativity” which is held in a church that was built where it's commonly held that Jesus was born. Christians, Muslims, and Jews go to this service in peace.
If you're fascinated by these traditions and want to learn more, please visit www.whychristmas.com. This site has a lot of fascinating information on not only traditions around the world, but at home as well. Have a safe and Merry Christmas.
- by Madeline Ballard
Lithuania, a little known celtic country, celebrates Christmas, however, Christmas Eve is more important. They spend all day fasting so they can prepare for a big feast called the Kūčios meal which has twelve dishes symbolizing each one of Jesus's disciples, none of the dishes should contain meat. Afterward, they have gift exchanges while children await a visit from 'The Old Man of Christmas.’ When presents have been opened and handed out, the children are tucked into bed and the adults might go to a midnight mass or the Shepard's mass.
A cold country near Canada called Greenland, also has some very fascinating customs. It is popular to put light- up stars in the windows, both for the tradition and for the utility of it. Greenland is so far north that the sun doesn't rise in the winter. The country also claims that it is the chosen vacation spot of Santa Claus during his summer holidays. During Christmas, the people eat a food called Mattack which is a whale skin with a strip of blubber inside. Apparently, this unusual food tastes like a fresh coconut? Might be something to try sometime if you're into experimenting with new foods.
Moving away from those frigid countries up north, the next country that has some interesting traditions is Ethiopia. In this African country, Christmas isn't even celebrated on the 25th! Instead, they use their own calendar from the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church. This calendar marks Christmas as the 29th of Tahsus or for us, on December 7. Before Christmas even begins, they fast for 43 days called the “Fast of the Prophets” where they only eat vegan foods for one meal of the day. It's also tradition that one of the wise men that visited Jesus in Bethlehem, was from Ethiopia.
Speaking of Bethlehem, despite being a Palestinian territory, Christmas is still proudly celebrated. On Christmas Eve, they throw a massive parade through the town playing bagpipes, which is a throwback to when the British once occupied the area. There is also the “Mass of the Nativity” which is held in a church that was built where it's commonly held that Jesus was born. Christians, Muslims, and Jews go to this service in peace.
If you're fascinated by these traditions and want to learn more, please visit www.whychristmas.com. This site has a lot of fascinating information on not only traditions around the world, but at home as well. Have a safe and Merry Christmas.
- by Madeline Ballard