WEST VALLEY CITY, Utah Nov. 7, 2016 (Gephardt Daily) — Officials confirmed Monday afternoon the three suspects in custody after a West Valley City police officer was killed in the line of duty early Sunday morning are juveniles.
West Valley City Police Chief Lee Russo confirmed this information during a press conference, and added that because of this, limited information about the suspects is available.
Russo said in a news conference Sunday morning that fallen officer Cody Brotherson, 25, is the first officer to die in the line of duty since West Valley City Police Department was formed in 1980.
Brotherson, who was West Valley City born and bred, had been with the police department since December 2013.
A news release issued by the department Sunday morning said: A West Valley City police officer observed a suspicious vehicle stopped in the area of 4100 South Redwood Road. The officer observed three people heading toward the Boulder Pines Apartment Complex located at 1535 W. 4040 South. Officers in the area responded and witnessed the suspects steal a vehicle from the parking lot of the apartment complex.
Officers attempted to stop the vehicle and the suspects fled.
Officers initiated a pursuit of the vehicle heading westbound on 4100 South. An attempt was made to spike the vehicle’s tires near 4100 South and Redwood Road, where officers reported the suspect vehicle veering toward them. Approximately 30 seconds later, one of the responding officers called for medical help to assist the officer who had been hit.
Preliminary examination of the scene indicates that the officer who was killed was outside of his vehicle at 2200 West 4100 South, attempting to deploy tire spikes, when he was hit by the suspect vehicle as it fled westbound on 4100 South. A short distance later, the suspect vehicle left the road and came to rest north of the roadway.
Three suspects are in custody. They are being questioned to determine their level of involvement in the incident.
Other law enforcement agencies will investigate the incident, as required by protocol, to ensure the most impartial results.
The suspects were not hurt in the incident.
Gov. Gary R. Herbert issued the following statement Sunday afternoon: It is with heavy hearts that Jeanette and I join all Utahns in mourning the passing of Officer Cody Brotherson, who gave the ultimate sacrifice this morning. We are heartbroken to lose such a young and dedicated officer who by all accounts had a bright future ahead of him.
Herbert will order the lowering of the Flag of the United States of America and the Flag of the State of Utah on the day of Brotherson’s funeral.
Russo also said that in place of of the regular community meeting Wednesday, a candlelight vigil will be held at 7 p.m. Gephardt Daily will post more details about this vigil as they become available.
May the dear Lord watch over his family ,friends and all police officers on and off the job. God bless each of you.
The juveniles got away with murder they will now play basketball and watch tv. Thanks to Susan Burke they will never have a consequence they are all Norte gang members and the judges ruling is null once in the secure care system they will face a parole board every six months with a possibility of release. They have no remorse and their gang family and mother gets to try and sneak in items for them and still visit. The judge who did not try them as adults should be fired.