SALT LAKE CITY -- State and county leaders gathered to salute Utah law enforcement personnel Thursday, and a walk in honor of a fallen officer is planned for Friday.
Leaders gathered at a memorial at the Utah State Capitol, where they honored fallen officers, including Utah County Sgt. Corey Wride, Draper Sgt. Derek Johnson, UHP Trooper Aaron Beesley, Ogden officer Jared Francom, Kane County deputy Brian Harris and others. Family members of the fallen officers were present.
Utah Attorney General Sean Reyes expressed his sympathy to the loved ones those the officers left behind.
"To my friends Nannette and Shantay, and also to Christie and Erin and Shauna and all of your families: What you've given, the sacrifice that you and your families have made, there are no adequate words for your loss."
Iron County Commissioner Dale Brinkerhoff had the idea for the ceremony, and he said it’s important for people to remember officers who put their lives on the line on a daily basis to defend public safety.
Senator Orrin Hatch is encouraging Utahns to support a memorial walk in Sgt. Wride’s honor, and the walk is scheduled for Friday in American Fork. The walk will begin at the American Fork Police Department at 5 p.m., and participants will make their way to Robinson Park—where each participant will be able to ring a historic bell in Wride’s honor.
“Utah students stand up for law enforcement, and I stand with you,” Hatch said in a video. “Sgt. Wride gave his life in the service of the people of Utah. He was a courageous man who devoted himself our safety and upholding the rule of law."
