TREMONTON, Utah, Aug. 18, 2025 (Gephardt Daily) — The Utah Department of Public Safety shared photos and brief biographies of two Tremonton Garland Police officers killed Sunday night in the line of duty while responding to a domestic violence incident.
Read about those brave officers, Sgt. Les Sorensen and Officer Eric Estrada, by clicking this link.
And on Monday evening, the DPS returned to the topic by profiling a Box Elder County Sheriff’s Deputy and his K-9 partner, who also were shot but survived.
Deputy Mike Allred, working with K-9 Azula, arrived at the volatile scene to find Sorensen and Estrada motionless. Allred called for assistance, hoping the first two officers might be saved, and also hoping to get more officers to the scene to protect public safety and to capture suspected shooter Ryan Michael Bate, who was arrested with the aid of a citizen who helped convince him to drop his weapon.
No one else was injured, except for Allred and Azula, who remained on the scene even after it was clear they were at extreme risk. Allred was treated at an area hospital, and Azula was treated at a specialty vet. Both are expected to recover.
Bate is now an inmate at the Weber County jail.
“Deputy Mike Allred has been a dedicated member of the Box Elder County Sheriff’s Office for the past five years,” his DPS biography says.
“For the last two years, he has served as a K-9 handler, working with K-9 Azula, a 3-year-old female Belgian Malinois. Azula is dual-certified in narcotics detection and tracking.
“The partnership between Deputy Allred and Azula is exemplary, and we are immensely proud of their tireless dedication each day,” the DPS statement says.
“Deputy Allred is a natural leader who consistently prioritizes the welfare of others over his own. His actions during the incident in Tremonton exemplify his character and commitment to public service. His primary focus is always on the safety of his fellow officers and the communities he serves.
“The Box Elder County Sheriff’s Office is profoundly grateful for the overwhelming support from the community. The outpouring of well-wishes and concern for both Deputy Allred and K-9 Azula has truly been a source of strength and healing.”
Gephardt Daily will have more information on the deadly incident in Tremonton as the case develops.
