An investigation is underway in Cortez after an officer died in the line of duty Wednesday. Officer Michael Moran was conducting a traffic stop when a suspect fired a shot striking him. The suspects then took off. Law enforcement caught up with the vehicle. One suspect died at the scene and a second was taken into custody. Officer Moran was transported to a hospital where he died. Police chief Vernon Knuckles says the department’s top 3 priorities, right now, are Officer Moran’s family, the agency, and the investigation. Officer Moran was a marine for 9 years before joining the Cortez police department. He became a k-9 handler in 201
