Tremonton, a small city in northern Utah with a population of approximately 10,000, faced a tragic event on Sunday night when two police officers were shot and killed while responding to a domestic disturbance call. Tremonton, located approximately 75 miles north of Salt Lake City, had a particularly frightening experience. Heroic bystanders intervened, resulting in the arrest of the man.
The ruckus started after officers ended up responding to several 911 hang-up calls coming from a home in Tremonton. One officer from the Tremonton-Garland Police Department was the first officer on scene. During the interview at the residence, the suspect approached with a firearm—a loaded .40 caliber assault-style weapon.
“Upon arrival, they immediately began taking fire,” said Crystal Beck, a spokesperson for the police department.
The situation escalated rapidly. Backup arrived, including a sheriff’s deputy and a police dog. Without warning, she and her partner fell under the gunfire of the same male suspect. All of this occurred during the initial chase, and in the ensuing gunfight, both deputy and police dog were shot while still in their vehicle. Thankfully, the deputy was discharged from the hospital on Monday, but the dog is still recovering in the hospital in fair condition.
In a savage twist, a second officer who arrived on-scene was gunned down on the spot by the assailant. Services will be held in the next days for all four of the fallen officers, with their identities not yet released pending notification of their families.
We know local law enforcement and the community are heartbroken over such a sudden, terrible loss. On Monday morning, Cade Reyes, police chief of Brigham City, expressed his community’s shock and grief. In an impassioned news conference, he captured their pain and outrage.
“These officers are definitely heroes,” Reyes stated.
The suspected shooter was eventually arrested after fellow festival-goers helped convince him to throw down his gun. Federal authorities are taking the investigative lead in determining what caused this tragic incident. In addition, they’re working to support the affected families and the officers of the Tremonton-Garland Police Department.