GJPD mourns death of commander, remembers excellence

Grand Junction’s Police Department is mourning the death of one of its own.

Commander Greg Assenmacher died of apparent natural causes Tuesday night while working out at home.

He’d been with the department for more than thirty years and held almost every position possible during his notable career.

For those who worked along side Assenmacher, he was more than a co-worker, more than even a friend; he was someone to aspire to be like.

"Greg was the most incredible ambassador that this department has ever had," Chief John Camper said.              

"He was kind of the heart and soul of the police department,” fellow commander, Paul Quimby, said.  “He had a great sense of humor and he worked hard. You can tell that he cared about people all the time."

His death came suddenly and has been felt dramatically by the department.

"Everybody is crushed, they really are. It was so unexpected,” Camper explained.  “Twenty four hours ago Greg was in my office talking to me about ideas he has for the department and things that we could do better. He was always innovating."

There are so many good memories of Greg that Chief Camper says it’s impossible to pick just one favorite memory.

"He called on day. He realized I was going to have my chief interview in a couple days and that it was my birthday,” Camper recalled.  “He knew that my family wasn't around. He asked me to come out for a beer over at Boston’s. He was just that kind of guy. He didn't expect anything in return. He just cared about everybody else more than he cared about himself."

Thoughts and prayers go out to his family and the many friends he had in the community.

Commander Assenmacher leaves behind his wife, two daughters, and step daughter.

He was just 54-years-old.