WEST VALLEY CITY, Utah, Jan. 20, 2019 (Gephardt Daily) — Officials on Sunday identified an officer and chaplain with the Utah National Guard who died Saturday afternoon while doing laps in a West Valley City public pool.
The Utah National Guard identified the deceased as Cpt. Corey C. Holmgren, 35.
Fire Department officials said the incident occurred at the West Valley Family Fitness Center at 5415 W. 3100 South at approximately 2:30 p.m.
Holmgren was doing laps when he went underwater for an unknown reason and did not resurface, officials said.
Lifeguards pulled Holmgren out and began CPR and used a defibrillator. Fire officials arrived and continued CPR for about 25 minutes. The man was then transported to an area hospital, where he passed away.
“We are shocked and saddened by the loss of Cpt. Holmgren,” said Maj. Gen. Jefferson S. Burton, the adjutant general of the Utah National Guard, in a prepared statement.
“He was a phenomenal chaplain and soldier and his loss will be felt deeply within our ranks. Our prayers are with his wife and children.”
Holmgren was a member of the 19th Special Forces Group at Camp Williams in Bluffdale. The Utah National Guard said Holmgren was on orders at Camp Williams, supporting a Yellow Ribbon event for soldiers who recently returned from deployment overseas, as well as those soldiers’ families.
“Today is a sad day having lost a friend, brother, husband, father, and patriot,” said Col. Gerald White, senior chaplain for the Utah National Guard. “May we remember how fragile and precious each day and moment we have is.”
Holmgren’s official cause of death is under investigation.
The Fitness Center posted on its Facebook page: “Due to unforeseen circumstances, the pools will be closed the remainder of the weekend. They will re-open at 5 a.m. on Monday morning.”
