June 14, 2013 8:30 AM

BEAVER CREEK FIRE, GARFIELD COUNTY

IMPORTANT: Please direct any media requests to the contact below. Do not contact the Garfield County Emergency Communications Center or Patrol staff for media requests.

GARFIELD COUNTY, Colo. – Last evening around 7:20 PM Garfield County experienced several fires around the county apparently due to multiple lightning strikes. Most of the fires were limited to a tree strike and the area immediately around the tree.

The largest fire outbreak was in the Beaver Creek/Porcupine Creek area off CR 320. This apparent lightning strike fire flared up and ultimately covered about 6 acres. The fire was no longer spreading by 10:00 PM and appeared under control. BLM was on sight throughout the night until the next briefing scheduled for 7:00 AM. The Garfield County Sheriff’s Office reported at 4:00 PM that there was no visible flame or smoke and the fire appeared to be knocked down.

Attached are pictures taken late in the evening by Corporal Darren Alstatt when the fire was in its early stages. Thanks to the quick response of all emergency parties involved this fire was contained.

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May 1, 2013

BEBB-JONES PLEADS GUILTY TO MURDERING HIS WIFE AND IS SENTENCED TO 20 YEARS

GARFIELD COUNTY, Colo. –  Marcus Bebb-Jones appeared in the 9th Judicial District court May 1, 2013 for sentencing on the charge of second-degree murder in the heat of passion, in which he plead guilty to on February 15, 2013.  Judge Daniel Petre ordered Bebb-Jones to serve 20 years in the Department of Corrections with credit for time already served.  This charge was part of a Plea Agreement for the murder of his wife, Sabrina Bebb-Jones.  Sabrina was killed September 16th, 1997 and her skull was found by a rancher on Douglass Pass in October 2004.

“While I am pleased the Judge imposed the maximum sentence of 20 years allowed by the plea agreement, as the Sheriff and head of the organization that has spent eight years investigating this case, I continue to oppose this arrangement.  Marcus Bebb-Jones was bound over for First Degree Murder at his Preliminary Hearing based on the evidence presented at that hearing.  Considering what he would have faced in the sentencing range of a First Degree Murder conviction, this plea agreement allows him to skate around spending the rest of his life in prison,” stated Sheriff Lou Vallario.

Bebb-Jones has been awaiting prosecution and sentencing in the Garfield County Jail since his arrest and extradition from England in 2009. 

Sheriff Vallario firmly believes that Marcus Bebb-Jones, by his own admission, murdered his wife Sabrina.  He left a young son without a mother and caused a lifetime of trauma for Sabrina’s family.  “After 16 years of denial and finally being held accountable for his heinous crime, he uttered an admission of guilt.  This will begin the closure and healing for Sabrina’s family who have remained amazingly strong throughout this entire ordeal, but Marcus Bebb-Jones should never walk the earth as a free man.  Unfortunately, as a result of this plea agreement, given his credit for time served and the Department of Corrections procedures for accruing good time and early release, he will in too short of a time, breathe free air again”.

The Garfield County Sheriff’s Office extends our deepest respect and admiration to Sabrina’s family.  We wish them well.     

The mission of the Garfield County Sheriff’s Office is to provide solutions for the people by utilizing and employing strong morals, good character, untarnished integrity, technical knowledge and fiscal responsibility through professional, ethical and equitable conduct.

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