SALT LAKE CITY -- Unified Police Department officers are getting some help on Monday so that more of them can attend the funeral of a fallen brother in blue.
Officer Doug Barney’s funeral is on Monday at the Maverik Center in West Valley City at 11:00 a.m., and in order for Unified officers to attend, they need some help patrolling their jurisdiction. The West Jordan Police Department did not hesitate to step up to the plate.
“We stand shoulder-to-shoulder together; back-to-back together; and so when Unified asked us ‘Hey can you cover the Midvale precinct for us on the graveyard before so our officers can go to the funeral?’ We didn't hesitate, 'Absolutely'” Sgt. Dan Roberts of West Jordan PD said. “And when West Valley said 'Hey can you help us with traffic control?’ We said ‘absolutely. Tell us how many you need and where you want us.’ So we are just eager to help and support each other anyway we can.”
Sgt. Roberts said his officers are volunteering their own time to be there. Some will volunteer Sunday night on the graveyard shift to let Unified officers sleep the night before the funeral, and others are volunteering on their day off on Monday so Unified officers can attend Officer Barney’s funeral.
“Helping Unified police and West Valley police and our brothers deal with this situation is just a more visible example of what we do every day,” Sgt. Roberts said. “We listen to each other's radio chatter all the time. We train together. We work together. We laugh together; we sweat together; we shudder in the cold together, and we even choke back tears together.”
The funeral services will also include a procession Monday, click here for details and the route.
The Unified Police Department posted Friday, saying the Sheriff's Office/Unified Police building at 3365 South 900 West would be closed to the public Monday but would resume regular operating hours on Tuesday.
The Facebook post did not directly cite the funeral, but ended with: "Thank you all for your support and patience during this difficult time for our organization."
