On a cold February evening in 2009, Mahnomen County Sheriff's Deputy Christopher L. Dewey, a 26-year-old White / Caucasian male, responded to a call of a possible drunk driver and shots fired. This routine call would set in motion a tragic chain of events that would ultimately lead to his death eighteen months later. When Deputy Dewey arrived on the scene in the city of Mahnomen, Minnesota, he encountered two men, which resulted in a physical altercation. During the struggle, he was shot in the head and abdomen. Despite the life-threatening injuries, a long and arduous journey of surgeries and rehabilitation began, a testament to his will to live.
Following the shooting, the primary suspect, Thomas Fairbanks, barricaded himself in a nearby mobile home, leading to a nine-hour standoff with law enforcement before he surrendered. An accomplice, Timothy Pemberton, was also taken into custody. For months, Deputy Dewey fought for his life, undergoing numerous surgeries and extensive therapy. There were glimmers of hope in his recovery, moments that defied doctors' expectations. However, his condition took a turn for the worse in July 2010, and he was moved into hospice care. On August 9, 2010, surrounded by his family, Christopher L. Dewey succumbed to the grievous wounds he had sustained in the line of duty.
The pursuit of justice for Deputy Dewey's death culminated in the conviction of his assailant. On September 1, 2011, a jury found Thomas Fairbanks guilty of first-degree murder. He received a mandatory sentence of life in prison without the possibility of parole. His accomplice, Timothy Pemberton, was sentenced to two years in prison for his role in the events of that fateful night for failing to render aid. The legal proceedings brought a close to the case, but the loss of a dedicated deputy and beloved husband, who had served the Mahnomen County Sheriff's Office for six years, left a lasting impact on his community and all who knew him.
