The Clear Creek County Sheriff, who said his deputies “failed to meet expectations” when they shot and killed a young man who was having a mental health crisis, is now retiring. Sheriff Rick Albers says he’ll leave office next month, after 43 years with the Sheriff’s office in Idaho Springs.
(Clear Creek Sheriff Stepping Down :45)
Albers was scrutinized around the world, and got pressure from his own county commissioners, over his handling of the death of Christian Glass, a year ago. Glass was shot to death by a deputy during a mental health incident. In May of this year, the county and other law enforcement agencies involved agreed to a record 19 million dollar settlement with the Glass family. It included significant promises for police reform, and specific apologies. Two county commissioners said in June, they didn’t believe the Sheriff’s “apology” was sufficient, and he hasn’t done enough to improve mental health responses in Clear Creek County. Lawyers for the Glass family have made a brief statement, saying in these words, “while Sheriff Albers’ resignation is a step in the right direction, it is only a start toward avoiding another senseless death.” Albers hasn’t offered any explanation for the timing, or reason for, his sudden retirement.