MILLCREEK, Utah -- A family is speaking out for the first time after their father was murdered by an alleged burglar.
"He leaves behind his wonderful wife, his four children and four grandchildren--who will miss him greatly," said Brian Stolk, the victim's nephew.
The family says 47-year-old Russell "Rusty" Jacobs died protecting his loved ones.
"It sounds like the Rusty I know," said Russ Drury, a close family friend. "He was there to protect his family and the people in the neighborhood, and he's a hero to me."
It was early Thursday morning when detectives say the deadly encounter began. Jesse Bruener, 35, was attempting to kick in the Jacobs' front door. The scenario ended after Bruener shot Jacobs and Jacobs returned fire a few houses down from the Jacobs' home. Click here for more details on the encounter.
When police arrived, Bruener was dead. Jacobs died shortly after.
"I'm still just shocked over it,"Drury said. "I don't know what else to say, but I'm just shocked."
Now, the Jacobs family is left coping with the loss.
