MCSO grief-stricken
By Babette Herrmann
Sun Editor
Deputy Christopher Tsosie was known as a the quiet guy who always showed up to work on time at the McKinley County Sheriff's Office. Like any good employee, his dutifulness kept him flying below the radar.
Tsosie, 43, had recently reached the one year milestone at MCSO, and Sheriff Ron Silversmith saw an experienced deputy ready to grow within the department. His future was bright. He was someone that didn't need micromanaged or held by the hand. Sadly, his life was cut short Jan. 25 while he was reportedly getting ready for his shift, which started at 6 pm.
At this juncture, there's no clear answers as to what went wrong that day, but he was found at home unresponsive and later pronounced dead at Crownpoint Health Care Facility – the hospital closest to his home.
Silversmith said preliminary autopsy results are "inconclusive," but the Office of the Medical Investigator should have the full autopsy report within the next two to three weeks.
Shocked and saddened, Silversmith said Tsosie was "an awesome guy."
"I am going to miss him."
He noted Tsosie's positive outlook on life and professionalism the first time the two met. Prior to working for the MCSO, Tsosie was an interrogator for the Navajo Nation Police for 13 years, handling criminal investigations, which appealed to Silversmith.
"We had big plans for him," he said.
Those big plans entailed moving him to the investigations unit so his years of experience as an interrogator/investigator could be put to good use to help solve the tough cases.
"He's such an experienced interrogator," Silversmith said. "He was good at what he did."
Under Sheriff Paul Lucero, who had a hand in hiring Tsosie, called him an "excellent deputy."
"We're sad to lose him," he said.
At the Sheriff's department Friday, staff and friends gathered in the break room for a buffet-style meal. A few in attendance had watery eyes and tear-stained faces.
There was some laughing and talking, but what stood out most was the strong sense camaraderie among deputies and staff.
Outside of the station, Tsosie's patrol unit #41 sat with an American flagged draped across the hood, adorned with flowers and a framed photo of him with a big smile on his face, giving a thumbs up. Back inside of the sheriff's station, a table was set up with a framed photo of him and bouquets of flowers on either side.
A note on one bouquet read: "You're in our thoughts and prayers. Condolences."
Funeral services will take place 10 am Wednesday at the Rehoboth sports and fitness center.
