In a ceremony marked by gratitude and recognition, the members of the Douglas County Sheriff's Office Cold Case Unit received Congressional accolades for their persistence in solving a homicide dating back to 1985. Congresswoman Lauren Boebert awarded the unit with Congressional Recognition, acknowledging the efforts to bring closure to a case that lingered in the shadows for 36 years.
Highlighted by the Congresswoman were Sergeant Mark O’Harold, Corporal Mike Trindle, and Crime Analyst Supervisor Michele Kennedy for their dedication to justice. With Kenney unable to attend, Captain Kennedy received the accolade on Michele’s behalf. Boebert also commended the DCSO IMPACT unit, which provided essential support to the Cold Case team in their investigation, according to the Douglas County Sheriff's Office.
The case in question involved the brutal murder of Roger Dean, whose life was violently cut short on November 21, 1985. Decades passed without a resolution until the cold case unit's relentless pursuit of truth led to the identification of Michael Jefferson as a suspect. In a legal turn earlier this month, now 67-year-old Jefferson pleaded and was sentenced to 32 years behind bars. The recognition ceremony was attended by Roger Dean's daughter, Tamara Harney, who witnessed firsthand the tribute paid to the investigators responsible for delivering justice in her father's case.
"Their tireless work of the Cold Case Unit" were the words Sheriff Darren Weekly used to describe the group's commitment. In his remarks, he promised continued efforts to resolve remaining cold cases, offering a semblance of hope to families still awaiting answers. Sheriff Weekly's statements reaffirmed the team’s dedication to ensuring that no victim is forgotten and justice is sought, irrespective of the time that has passed.
