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OREM, Utah, Jan. 6, 2019 (Gephardt Daily) — The Provo Police Department has commented on the line of duty death of one of their own Saturday night.
According to a statement provided by Detective Nick Dupaix, the slain officer – whose name will be released Sunday — was shot and killed in a confrontation with a wanted fugitive outside a Bed, Bath and Beyond in Orem.
The suspect police were searching for was wounded in the exchange of gunfire and taken to the hospital with non-life threatening injuries. His name is also being withheld until a Sunday press conference.
Dupaix’s statement to Gephardt Daily is as follows:
“At about 9:53 p.m. this evening, Provo Police received word on where a wanted fugitive would be at which was over at Bed, Bath and Beyond in Orem.
“Our officers responded out there to apprehend the suspect and while officers were attempting to apprehend the suspect there was a shooting that occurred.
“One of our officers was hit. He was rushed to the hospital where was treated for injuries.
“Unfortunately one of our brothers, one of our Provo police officers, succumbed to his injuries and has passed on.
“As you can imagine, this is one of our brothers who didn’t go home with his family.
“One of our greatest fears is seeing one of our own, having to be out on his own, fighting for others, their freedoms, out protecting the community and trying to serve our public, and in doing so, his own life was taken and forever there’s going to be a hole in our department.
“He was someone who was vey compassionate. He was someone who loved this job. And he was one of the humblest people I’ve ever met.
“The fact that he is no longer with us at the department physically will forever have a hole in our hearts. But his actions, his demeanor, his character will always live on through us and his legacy will continue on through this department.
“He was known through many agencies, and as you can see we have many officers from all over the county and even the state who are here to pay their respects to one of our brothers.
“He’s someone who has touched the hearts of many officers and also many people in our community. He was someone who was very involved, very proactive with our citizens, one that was there to listen and someone that would be willing to solve your problems. He would talk with our citizens, and understand the roots of the problems that went on here in Provo.
“He was a person who was always out searching for suspects, trying to make our community safer in that regard.
“He was one of those officers that even if you were a suspect he was there to listen, to even the most vile people. He was there to try and at least befriend them in some regard and even show them respect. No matter what walk of life you were on, he was there to show you respect.
“The suspect is currently in custody right now and is being treated for minor injuries here at Utah Valley Regional Medical Center.
“We’ll be having a press conference tomorrow at 2 p.m. and we’ll be releasing the officer’s information and give more information this incident.
“Currently with the officer involved shooting we do have a special team that comes out and conducts a full investigation. We’ll be releasing more information from those findings as they come.
“We’d like to thank all those who’ve come to support us including many police agencies across the county as well as the state.
“We also want to give thanks to all the medical staff here at the Utah Valley Regional Medical Center who have worked hard in trying to keep one of our brothers alive.
“We’re really sad and heartbroken in that he has passed on, but his legacy will continue to live on through each and beyond of his brothers here at the police department.
“This officer is one of the hardest working persons that we’ve ever had here. He was one of the most humble guys as well. He was never in it for his own glory. He was always out there working hard. He was always willing to give others the credit for it.
“He was one of those guys who was willing to listen to you no matter what walk of life you came from. He was always there to show some respect as well. Didn’t matter if you were a criminal or a high class citizen. He showed you just as much respect as any other person and he was always there to listen to your problems and be proactive in solving those problems.
“As you can see we have brothers from all over the county, those that are out here to pay their respects to one of our brothers.”
