SANTAQUIN, Utah, May 5, 2024 (Gephardt Daily) — Less than seven hours after a Santaquin police officer responded to a traffic incident on Interstate 15 and was struck and killed by a semi driver, he was transported north to the medical examiner’s office in a solemn funeral procession on the very road where he lost his life.
Law enforcement officers joined the procession as firefighters draped American flags from the I-15 overpasses and members of the public gathered in tribute to Sgt. Bill Hooser, who was killed in the line of duty just a few hours earlier.
The day which began as a sunny Sunday morning soon turned gray and rainy, with unexpected snowflakes falling in some areas.
The deadly incident began to unfold about 6:30 a.m., when Hooser responded to the scene near mile marker 244 on northbound I-15, according to Spanish Fork Police Lt. Cory Slaymaker, who was asked to speak on behalf of the Santaquin Police Department.
A Utah Highway Patrol trooper also responded to the Santaquin incident, said to involve a man reportedly seen standing on the back of a semi. The two arrived and attempted a traffic stop.
“The driver of the semi fled and drove northbound a short distance before turning around and driving the wrong way,” back toward the two officers, Slaymaker said.
“The semi truck hit the Santaquin officer and also his vehicle, as well as the UHP trooper’s vehicle. The Santaquin officer died at the scene after being struck by the semi.”
The suspect fled on foot, and reportedly stole another vehicle. Mike Aaron Jayne, 42, was found later in Vernal after he crashed a Ford F-150 pickup truck reported stolen shortly after the fatal incident.
Slaymaker shared condolences with the Santaquin Police Department after what he described as a “very traumatic incident, for not only them but the state of Utah.”
Santaquin Police Lt. Mike Wall was next up. He struggled to regain composure while choked with emotion.
“I apologize,” he said as he supported himself by leaning on the podium.
“Today, this morning, we got notified that one of our officers had been killed in the line of duty,” Wall said.
Other uniformed officers stepped forward to put a comforting arm on Wall’s shoulder or just to stand nearby. “And,” Wall continued, “our entire department is hurt. And the family of the officer is hurt.” His voice broke again. “Because of a senseless act by one individual.”
Wall lowered his face, briefly.
“We have family members who will miss their father at their nearing wedding. But I can assure you, we as a police department will stand up and we will be there, and we are one family.”
Wall thanked “the many agencies throughout Utah that have stepped in and supported and helped, and also the support of the community. And we thank them. And we ask that, as a community and a department, we stand up as one.”
Santaquin Mayor Dan Olson spoke next.
“This is a difficult day,” he said. “A day that tends to rock a community that is very tight knit and caring.”
For the past few years, Olson said, “the police and public safety have been one of our No. 1 priorities. We respect them. We love them. They are an integral part of our city. This is a tough loss for us.”
Olson praised the police department, and said the loss of an officer would be something the city would struggle with for years to come.
“And we will do our best supporting each other, loving one another, and loving those men in blue that support us every day. I don’t know that I can say anything other than I am so proud of our city, so proud of those that serve, the citizens. People throughout the United States have contacted me this morning, along with the governor, to let us know they are aware of the situation and they support us 100 percent.”
Olson thanked all those who responded.
A Provo Police official announced the planned procession, and citizens and officials began sharing candid photos soon after.
Utah Lt. Gov. Deidre Henderson later shared a photo of one overpass scene, which Gov. Spencer Cox retweeted.
A GoFundMe account has been set up to benefit Hooser’s family, including his wife and two daughters, son-in-law and new granddaughter.
Gephardt Daily will have more information on the incident and the officer’s death as details are released.
