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CACHE COUNTY, Utah, Oct. 8, 2018 (Gephardt Daily) — Colleagues are paying tribute to Lt. Brian Locke, who had been with the Cache County Sheriff’s Office for 32 years and died in an off-duty accident after rolling a UTV in the Paradise Dry Canyon area Saturday.
A news release Monday morning from Cache County Sheriff’s Office said deputies and search and rescue officers were dispatched at 8:47 p.m. to the incident, that occurred about six miles northeast of Paradise. It was reported that Locke was the injured driver.
“The UTV had rolled approximately 50 yards off the side of the road, and Lt. Locke had been pinned under the machine for an extended period,” the news release said. “Medical crews from Hyrum and paramedics from Logan Fire responded to the scene and provided
immediate medical care.”
Cache County Search and Rescue crews assisted medical personnel in removing the machine and transporting Locke to Logan Regional Hospital. He subsequently succumbed to his injuries.
Locke was hired with the Cache County Sheriff’s Office in September of 1986, the news release said.
“His years of law enforcement experience and his compassionate ability to communicate brought a calming presence to those he worked with and the families affected in often time tragic events,” the news release said. “Brian was a devoted deputy sheriff through and through. He had a great love and pride for our office and everyone he ever worked with. Brian was a respected friend, mentor and leader to all who were privileged to work with him. He will be greatly missed. We extend our deepest condolences and pledge
our support to his wife, Shelly, his daughters, and extended family.”
Locke started his career as a jail deputy, and in his 32-year career served in every division in the office, the news release said. He promoted to Sergeant and then in 2004 to Lieutenant. Before the accident, he was serving as the Support Services Lieutenant, a division including Investigations, Civil, Courts, IT, Search and Rescue, and Mounted Posse.
Locke was a board member with the Utah Peace Officers Association for many years. The association posted on its Facebook page: “UPOA mourns the death of one of our own members of our Board of Directors. Brian Locke will be deeply missed. Godspeed dear friend!”
Cache County Fire District also posted a tribute to Locke on Facebook: “We at the Cache County Fire District extend our sincere condolence to Lt. Brian Locke’s family and to the Cache County Sheriff’s office for the tragic loss of Lt. Locke. We will miss him.”
Locke served as Legislative Chair of the Utah Law Enforcement Legislative Committee, was active in the “Ride for the Fallen” and attended the event many times representing Cache County Sheriff’s Office, and for close to 20 years, had worked for the State of Utah as a Regional Medical Examiner.
Utah Parks and Recreation officers will be overseeing the ongoing crash investigation.
Gephardt Daily will have more on this developing story as information is made available.
