UTAH COUNTY, Utah -- The Utah State Senate has only 29 members representing districts from every corner of the state, and two of them had personal connections to Utah County Sheriff Office's Sgt. Cory Wride.
Wride was shot and killed, and another officer was wounded, Thursday during an altercation with a suspect--who died of his injuries Friday.
The extent of Sgt. Wride's influence wouldn't be a surprise to those who knew him well, including State Senator John Valentine, who has served the Sheriff's Office Search and Rescue Division for more than 30 years, now holding the rank of lieutenant.
"He has been a significant contributor to the citizens of Utah County," Valentine said. "He has done most of it.
Valentine said Wride has been an K9 officer, the assistant to the Sheriff, and is currently a member of SWAT.
Choking back tears, Valentine described his relationship with Wride's father, who also served in the Sheriff's Search and Rescue team. Valentine said he thought it was Wride's father's service that inspired his career in law enforcement.
According to Valentine, Wride was " just a couple of months away from being eligible for a full retirement."
State Senator Mark Madsen, who represents the community where Wride patrolled, has had good and memorable experiences with Wride.
"I remember he pulled me over once and didn't give me a ticket, and so that gives me a fond recollection," Madsen said.
