SOUTH SALT LAKE, Utah, Nov. 29, 2018 (Gephardt Daily) — South Salt Lake police officials have announced funeral plans for Officer David Romrell, who died Saturday night after being struck by a car while investigating a burglary.
Investigators say Romrell, 31, was run over by two suspects outside a business near 3575 South and West Temple Street.
South Salt Lake Police said in a news release that the funeral will be held on Wednesday, Dec. 5 at the Maverik Center, 3200 Decker Lake Drive, West Valley City. The public viewing will be from 9 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. and the service will begin at 11 a.m.
A probable cause statement released by the 3rd District Court said the incident began when South Salt Lake Police officers were dispatched to the burglary in progress.
Suspect Jeffrey Don Black, 43, told officers in an interview that he and another suspect, Felix Anthony Calata, 32, went to the address of the incident in a vehicle to “collect a debt.”
Black stated they were unable to gain entry, and were going to leave when he saw police officers with their red and blue lights activated on their vehicles, at which point Calata, who was driving the car, accelerated in an attempt to flee and hit Romrell.
Calata was shot by police and was transported to an area hospital, where he died from gunshot wounds.
Black fled from police and was located hiding inside a boat near where the crashed vehicle was abandoned.
Black was arrested Monday night and is facing charges including first-degree felony aggravated murder, second-degree felony burglary of a dwelling, second-degree felony obstruction of justice and third-degree felony aggravated assault.
Gov. Gary R. Herbert issued the following statement regarding Romrell’s death:
“Jeanette and I join the entire South Salt Lake Police family in mourning the death of one of our finest, Officer David Romrell. He was exemplary in every way, and I feel humbled by the service he gave his country as a Marine, as well as the service he gave our communities here in Utah. We mourn with and for Officer Romrell’s dear family, and we pray that they may find peace in the midst of this heartbreak.”
The governor will order the lowering of the flag of the United States and the flag of the state of Utah on the day of the funeral.
Romrell joined the South Salt Lake Police Department in January 2018.
The Marine veteran is survived by his wife and their 4-month-old son.
Romrell was the first South Salt Lake police officer to be killed in the line of duty.
Officials also announced that there is a tree dedicated to Romrell at the Festival of Trees at the Mountain America Expo Center in Sandy. All proceeds from the Festival of Trees benefit Primary Children’s Hospital. The event runs from until Saturday; for more information click here.
South Salt Lake Police Department will be conducting an investigation into the incident, while Unified Police officials will be conducting two investigations; one conducted by the UPD critical incident protocol team on the officer-involved shooting, along with a criminal investigation involving the murder of Romrell.
