SALT LAKE CITY — Reactions and well-wishes started rolling in almost immediately after the news that two Salt Lake County deputies had been shot Saturday morning outside the sheriff's office complex, located in South Salt Lake.
“Our thoughts and prayers are with the Salt Lake County Sheriff’s Office right now,” said Sgt. Spencer Cannon with the Utah County Sheriff's Office.
Cannon says while law enforcement trains for these types of situations, they can never predict what’s going to happen with every encounter.
“You never, in your contacts with the public, walk up there thinking that this is going to happen, but we train to be ready for it," he said. "But when it does, it’s almost always a surprise.”
Cannon said as soon as he heard the news, he started checking for updates on the deputies’ conditions.
“That was a relief to know that it looks like one’s going to be released and the other is going to be a little bit longer, but looks like he’s going to make it," he said. "I mean, physically you actually breathe a sigh of relief.”
Utah Attorney General Sean Reyes and Salt Lake County Mayor Jenny Wilson also shared their thoughts with FOX 13.
“We hope Utahns will join us in praying for the quick recovery and full recovery of these brave deputies,” Reyes said.
Wilson says all county employees are thinking about the deputies and hoping for the best.
“These deputies are part of the Salt Lake County family, and my heart goes out to them," she said. "I wish them well in their healing.”
Cannon added that as Utahns pray for and think about the deputies and their families, it’s also important to remember the family of the suspect.
“For me and so many others, the other thought that comes out of this is that there’s another family or something who’s out there, and they’re suffering now because there’s been a loved one lost,” he said.
There was a solemn tone talking about this situation, but the people FOX 13 talked to were also relieved in hearing about the deputies' conditions and hopeful that they’ll make a full recovery.
Many other elected leaders and local officials responded on social media, saying that they are praying for the deputies and their families:
Such an awful tragedy outside the Salt Lake County Jail today. Abby and I are praying for the two deputies fighting for their lives.
— Utah Gov. Spencer J. Cox (@GovCox) April 10, 2021
Our condolences go out to the Salt Lake County officers and their families. Keep your head on a swivel and stay safe out there. @SLCOMetroJail @UPDSL pic.twitter.com/BUF0Lbetoh
— Chief Mike Brown (@ChiefMikeBrown) April 10, 2021
Our thoughts and prayers are with the two Deputies involved in today's shooting outside of the Salt Lake County Jail. https://t.co/97d93zOX4n
— Utah Highway Patrol (@UTHighwayPatrol) April 10, 2021
Our hearts are with everyone effected by this act of violence. We are hopeful the two @SLCO_OOTS
deputies who were shot will experience a swift recovery with minimal pain, and that the medical and mental health impacts will not be long-lasting. https://t.co/JP0hnEBKwx— Davis County Sheriff's Office (@DavisSheriffUT) April 10, 2021
Praying 🙏🏼 for the speedy recovery of the two Salt Lake County Sheriff’s deputies @slcomet https://t.co/r0ZiY4VP3x
— Sen. Luz Escamilla (@SenatorLuz) April 10, 2021
Ann’s and my hearts are heavy with reports of two Salt Lake County deputies shot and hospitalized. We join them and their families in prayer and hope.
— Senator Mitt Romney (@SenatorRomney) April 10, 2021
My thoughts and prayers are with the two Salt Lake County Sheriff’s deputies who were tragically shot and hospitalized today. All of Utah stands with them and their families in hopes of a full recovery.
— Rep. Chris Stewart (@RepChrisStewart) April 10, 2021
This is devastating. My prayers are with our men and women in blue, especially these two officers and their families. https://t.co/8ahYql5jS4 #FoxNews
— Burgess Owens (@BurgessOwens) April 10, 2021
My thoughts are with the deputies who were injured in a horrific shooting this morning near the Salt Lake County @SLCOMetroJail. All of us at @SLCoGov are grateful for the sacrifice that law enforcement makes each day. Our hearts and hopes are with the deputies and their families
— Mayor Jenny Wilson (@SLCoMayor) April 10, 2021
“All of us at the Utah Attorney General’s office are praying for the two officers of the Salt Lake County Sheriff’s office, who were shot in the line of duty this morning. These officers and their sister and brother officers go to work every day protecting our communities, including individuals in our prisons and jails. They do this having no idea what threats of harm will come each day. They serve with professionalism and dedication. They and their families accept these risks willingly.”
“Please join our prayers for these brave officers and their families. Their sacrifices are unmeasurable and unimaginable.”
