Professional Endorsements

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Throughout his adult life, Derek Irvine has served admirably as a law enforcement professional in Fremont County.  Derek Irvine has demonstrated wise and steady leadership, protecting the citizens while effectively supporting his deputies.  The example of Derek Irvine's personal and professional life brings me to announce my enthusiastic and unqualified endorsement, along with my strong encouragement that the people of Fremont County make a wise decision to elect him as their Sheriff. 

Mark Baisley

Colorado State Senator, District 4

Representing the Counties of Chaffee, Custer, Douglas, Fremont, Jefferson, Lake, Park and Teller

When I advised the Republican Central Committee that I would not seek re-election as Fremont County Sheriff, I did not announce a successor. However, the race appears to be heating up, so I am officially supporting and endorsing my Undersheriff, Derek Irvine. This should come as no surprise; there was a reason I chose Derek to be my Undersheriff. I recognized his potential early in his career as a deputy with the Fremont County Sheriff’s Office and convinced him to apply for a position at the Canon City Police Department, where I was a patrol sergeant. 

Derek flourished at the PD, rising through the ranks through strong work, sound decision-making, and the ability to relate to the diverse personalities and cultures encountered in law enforcement. Ultimately, Derek was promoted to sergeant of the investigation unit, where he supervised and trained detectives. The investigations unit had an extremely high conviction rate, almost 100%, for those who victimize our community's children. The investigations unit also handled numerous high-profile arrests and convictions. 

When the Central Mountain Regional Response Team was formed, Derek was appointed the assistant Commander. This team was composed of SWAT operators from the Canon City Police Department, Fremont County Sheriff’s Office, Salida Police Department, Chaffee County Sheriff's Office, Fountain Police Department, and the Monument Police Department. Members of the Tri-Lakes Fire Department operated as the Teams tactical emergency medics, or TEMS. This team numbered approximately 40 trained operators and conducted several high-risk missions in the Central Mountain Region. His leadership with this diverse group resulted in every mission being successful.

Before I was elected, I asked Derek to serve as my Undersheriff because I knew his work ethic, integrity, and commitment to the people of Fremont County. As my Undersheriff, Derek has handled most of the day-to-day operations of this office. Both the Law Enforcement Division and the Detentions Division Captains report to him. Under his leadership, lawsuits against the office have diminished significantly since the previous administration. To be successful at my job, you need to master the knowledge, skills, and abilities of that job. As for the job of the Sheriff, Derek Irvine has mastered all of these and much more. 

Allen Cooper, Fremont County Sheriff

My name is Alexander Walker, IV, and I am currently the Undersheriff with the Chaffee County Sheriff's Office. Prior to my position with the Chaffee County Sheriff's Office, I worked as a Criminal Investigator and, later, as Chief Criminal Investigator with the 11th Judicial District Attorney's Office. The 11th Judicial District Attorney's Office consists of Park County, Fremont County, Chaffee County, and Custer County. During my employment with the 11th Judicial District Attorney's Office from 2007 to 2021, I worked on many investigations with Derek in Fremont County.

From 2007 to 2021, I watched Derek promote up with the Canon City Police Department and Fremont County Sheriff's Office, to now include Undersheriff. Derek has always been someone you can count on in very demanding and stressful situations. Derek has and will continue to take care of his staff and the residents of Fremont County in the utmost ethical, respectful, and empathic ways known.

Derek has vast knowledge of Fremont County and its residents. The Fremont County Sheriff's Office and the Chaffee County Sheriff's Office have always worked well together in very difficult times and situations, and I would like to see that never change.

Derek is extremely qualified for the role of Sheriff and has proven that to me for many years. Derek has one of the highest levels of ethics and is a logical problem solver. I highly recommend Fremont County elect Derek for their next Sheriff. Derek's leadership, ethics, knowledge and integrity only make Fremont County a better and safer place to live.

Alexander Walker, IV

Fremont County Residents:

Over the last 15+ years, I have come to know Derek Irvine since his days with the Canon City Police Department through his current time as the Under Sheriff for Fremont County. Derek has always exhibited a passion for his work in law enforcement, but more importantly, a powerful passion and commitment for protecting the community he serves. As a local Fire Chief, I have had many opportunities to collaborate with Derek on key issues affecting our community. We have served together for the last 8+ years on the regional dispatch governance board. We have worked together many times to address wildfire concerns in the area, coordinate training events between agencies, and develop emergency operations plans for community events and impending hazardous conditions.

I believe that Derek was born and raised in Fremont County. He has strong ties to the community, and is involved with numerous community organizations. He is a dedicated husband and father, and cherishes his time with his family.

Derek is well respected by other law enforcement agencies throughout Colorado. He is recognized for his strong ethics and commitment to justice for all. He continuously exhibits unwavering support for his deputies and other staff. His wealth of knowledge and experience as a patrol officer, major crimes detective, tactical officer, and Undersheriff, coupled with a broad array of experience in administrative functions, positions him as the best person to be Fremont County’s next Sheriff. Join me in supporting Derek Irvine for Sheriff of Fremont County.

Respectfully,

David DelVecchio 

During my 17-year career as a reporter in Canon City, I've followed Derek Irvine's work from a front-row seat. From his tenure with the Canon City Police Department to his service in Fremont County, I've always found him straightforward, transparent, and approachable. He has always welcomed me into his office to ask any and all questions, and I've always received straight answers and explanations, even if those answers did not shine a positive light on the department. He is always looking for ways to improve all aspects of the FCSO.

Over the years, we have built a mutual trust and respect, and I still trust him to do what's best for the community, the detainees, the staff, and the voters. Because of his ongoing commitment to public safety, to the Fremont County Sheriff's Office, and to this community, Derek  Irvine has my full support as Sheriff.

Fremont County:

I first remember meeting Derek Irvine at a conference in early 2019. We were both new Undersheriffs, but it was clear to me that Derek Irvine had a vast amount of well-rounded law enforcement knowledge and experience. I remember liking Derek almost instantly, which was odd because people with the amount of experience Derek had often came across as arrogant and pompous. Derek was not; instead, he was confident and welcoming. Within a short time of meeting Derek, it was clear that he genuinely cared for Fremont County and the people he had been serving there for almost three decades. 

Since that day, mine and Derek's paths have crossed on many occasions. Both serving as Undersheriffs in Colorado's 11th Judicial District, we have experienced common issues and struggles. Derek is someone that I know I can call for assistance, advice, or if I need someone to bounce an idea off of.  I have witnessed Derek's tactical and investigative expertise. We have had many conversations about how to work through many of the unfunded mandates Sheriff's Offices and Law Enforcement in Colorado have been dealt by the state legislature over the last seven years.

Derek and I have sat on promotional boards together, we have enjoyed meals together, and figured out ways to tackle similar problems. Through this, I have had the pleasure of getting to know Derek both personally and professionally. Though I am not a resident of Fremont County, I fully support Derek Irvine in his candidacy for Sheriff and hope for his continued cooperation and collaboration in making our communities safer. I would cast my vote for him if I could, because I realize that his experience, training, dedication, and passion for Fremont County are unmatched. I hope you will join me in supporting Derek Irvine for Fremont County Sheriff.

Respectfully, 

Steve Spodyak

To Whom It May Concern:

This letter serves to express my enthusiastic support for Derek Irvine as the next sheriff of

Fremont County. Derek is currently the undersheriff of the Fremont County Sheriff's Office and has

been so for the past two terms. I have known Undersheriff Irvine for more than 20 years, working

closely side-by-side with him for ten of those years in the investigations unit of Canon City Police

Department. Having been in law enforcement for nearly 40 years, I have become acquainted with a

multitude of officers across a diverse number of policing agencies. Among that number, Undersheriff

Irvine stands out for several reasons as one of the most exceptional professionals I've met.

When I consider his numerous virtues, I immediately think ofUndersherifflrvine's passionate

commitment to justice. As a major crimes detective, Undersheriff Irvine dealt with some of the most

heinous crimes a police officer can face. Despite the challenges, he invariably demonstrated

extraordinary care and compassion for the victims in those incidents, and with a singular determination

pursued the truth that resulted in a high solution and conviction rate. At the same time, Undersheriff

Irvine was always fair and impartial with the defendants accused of the crimes he investigated. "Doing

it right and doing it well" could thus truly be his motto in our noble profession.

Undersheriff lrvine's dedication to accomplishing well what he has set out to do applies also to

his concern for the members of the Sheriff's Office and the people they serve. In his current position,

he has striven to improve the morale, compensation, and working conditions of his deputies and

civilian employees. This has led to the acquisition of quality training and tools, resulting in a more

professional, better equipped staff that cares about providing for the needs of the community.

Not only does Undersheriff lrvine possess the appropriate perspective and motivation to be an

excellent sheriff, but he also has the necessary background and education. Obviously, as the current

undersheriff, he is the sheriff's "right hand man" and is therefore intimately involved in and

knowledgeable about the administrative operations of the Office. In addition, Undersheriff Irvine has

sought to develop his ability to lead a large organization. It is a sad fact that in the law enforcement

profession, administrators often stop seeking advanced training, perhaps believing they've reached

"the top" and no longer have anything to learn. This is certainly not true ofUndersheriff lrvine. All the

while he has been serving as the second-in-command at Fremont County Sheriff's Office, he has been

pursuing higher education. With this training, Undersheriff lrvine is significantly helping to improve

the professionalism and excellence of service of the Sheriff's Office to the people of Fremont County.

Given these reasons, I believe Undersheriff Irvine is an outstanding candidate for the critical

Office of Sheriff. As a resident of Fremont County and someone who cares about the law enforcement

service available to us citizens, I am honored to offer my hearty endorsement ofUndersheriff lrvine as

the next sheriff of Fremont County!

Thank you,

Jeff Worley

Chief of Police

Fairplay Police Department 

My name is Andy Rohrich, and I am the current Sheriff with the Chaffee County Sheriff’s Office. I have had the pleasure of working with Derek Irvine for over twenty years as a neighboring law enforcement partner bordering the west end of Fremont County. Our career paths were similar in nature, so I was able to witness his abilities in many facets, including patrol, tactics, investigations, and administration. 

Based on Derek’s abilities, it came as no surprise to me that he continued to promote up the ranks to lead the Fremont County Sheriff’s Office. Our relationships have been very strong over the years, which is crucial to maintain. Smaller agencies rely on each other in critical incidents where staffing numbers are not adequate for the situation. Derek always answered the call when we needed him. 

Derek is highly educated in his field and one of the most ethical leaders I have come across in my career. His ethical decision making is one of the highest qualities needed in our law enforcement leadership today. I have no doubt about his leadership ability. He has proven himself.

I urge Fremont County to elect Derek Irvine as your next Sheriff. His leadership not only makes Fremont County a safer place to live, but it also helps us here in Chaffee County. He is the obvious choice. 

-Andy Rohrich