In a somber and silent county commission meeting crowded with government and law enforcement leaders, Commissioner Randy Wheelock read into the record a resolution in appreciation for Clear Creek County Commissioner Sean C. Wood and his more than seven years of meritorious service to Clear Creek County.
“Commissioner Wood has rooted a legacy in Clear Creek County and he will long be remembered for his independence, courage and faith that we can always do better,” Wheelock read from the resolution at the May 21 meeting.
There were tears and heartbroken voices in the first Clear Creek County Commission meeting since the death of Wood on May 6.
Commissioners Wheelock and George Marlin did their best to keep composure as they voted the resolution of appreciation for Wood into the permanent record for Clear Creek County.
The empty seat on the commission with Wood’s nameplate and gavel represented, what many called, an empty hole in the county left by his death.
“The state of Colorado has lost a true public servant,” State Sen. Dylan Roberts said.
Clear Creek Sheriff Matt Harris said he talked to Wood the morning of his death about their common goal of modernizing and professionalizing the sheriff’s department.
Wheelock governed in tandem with Wood for nearly eight years.
“Most of the time he didn’t say a lot, but he felt things very, very deeply,” Wheelock said.
One of his biggest regrets, Wheelock said, was that he and Wood never went skiing together as they’d always talked about.
Wheelock described Wood as a quiet, conscientious man who fought vigorously for what he believed would be of best benefit to the people of Clear Creek County.
“He wanted to make sure that we squeezed the last measure of good we possibly could out of every penny we spent for people,” Wheelock said. “I think he loved deeply… he was a man of integrity.”
Commissioner Marlin shared the responsibilities, challenges and debates faced by the commission for more than four years.
Marlin described Wood as a strong force who vehemently argued his position in county business but also a man who could see, accept and respect other points of view.
“It’s really hard to be emphatic and objective at the same time,” Marlin said. “He would argue for his option enthusiastically and hear a new fact and just turn around without a thought and say, ‘Oops I was wrong.’ That’s what grace looks like.”
Marlin said Wood “stood the people’s ground.”
‘We miss our brother’
Sean Wood also served as a volunteer firefighter with Evergreen Fire/Rescue for more than 20 years.
“His death has been devastating to the Evergreen firefighting community,” Risk Reduction Officer Einar Jensen said.
Although he was a volunteer, Wood achieved the title of driver/engineer with the department.
“He was a role model,” Jensen said. “He was exceptional, he was a formal leader and an informal leader for the organization.”
Wood retired from the Evergreen Fire/Rescue Department in 2017, however, he continued to be active in his community and proactive in the fire service for Clear Creek County, Jensen said.
“He was there for his neighbors countless times,” Jensen said.
Wood’s legacy will live on in the Evergreen fire/rescue community, as well as the department’s continuing commitment to his family, Jensen added.,
“Once you’re in the fire service, you’re family,” he said.
“Selflessness” is a word associated with Wood and his decades of service to his community by many who knew him.
The end of the resolution read into the county commission record is the simple statement: “Sean, you will truly be missed.”
Wood is survived by his wife and three children.