The American and Utah flags fly by the Utah State Capitol on Dec. 21, 2023. (Photo by Alex Goodlett for Utah News Dispatch)
Gov. Spencer Cox called Sunday “a tragic night” after the killing of two Tremonton-Garland Police officers in a shooting that also injured a sheriff deputy and a service dog while responding to a domestic violence report.
U.S. and Utah flags will fly at half-staff at all state facilities in honor of Sgt. Lee Sorensen and officer Eric Estrada from Monday until sunset on the day of their interment.
“Today, our hearts are broken. Sgt. Lee Sorensen and Officer Eric Estrada gave their lives in service to their neighbors and community. Abby and I join all Utahns in mourning alongside their families, the Tremonton-Garland Police Department, and every officer who puts on the uniform to protect others,” Cox said in a statement.
The governor invited private citizens and organizations to lower their flags in recognition of the officers.
“We owe these heroes a debt that can never be repaid. As we grieve, let us also recommit to supporting the men and women of law enforcement who stand on the front lines to keep our neighborhoods safe,” Cox said. “May God bless the Sorensen and Estrada families, and all those who are hurting in this time of loss.”
The Utah Highway Patrol is also planning a procession on Monday starting around 4 p.m. as the bodies of the two officers are transported from the Office of the Medical Examiner in Taylorsville to funeral homes in Tremonton and Logan in commemoration of the officers. Several major roads will close. The Utah Department of Transportation encouraged commuters to plan ahead and expect major delays.
During a forum sponsored by the Sutherland Institute on Monday, Utah Republican Rep. Blake Moore, who represents the area, started his remarks acknowledging the incident and describing it as “a realization of how difficult that job is.”
“We’ve got a great mayor up in Tremonton, a town you don’t often hear this type of stuff happen from, so it’s a little shocking, no matter where it happens,” Moore said. “My heart goes out to northern Utah, and Box Elder County.”
Other members of Utah’s congressional delegation also lamented the news in prepared statements.
Sen. John Curtis said on X he was “heartbroken by the tragic loss of two law enforcement officers in Tremonton last night.”
“‘Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends,’” Sen. Mike Lee quoted from the Bible on X as he asked his followers to join him in praying for the law enforcement officers, their families and the Tremonton community.
Rep. Burgess Owens also called for prayers for the fallen officers, the recovery of the wounded deputy and the safety of the state’s law enforcement community on a social media post, describing the incident as “heartbreaking news.”
A male suspect is currently in custody in the Box Elder County Jail under investigation of aggravated murder, a capital crime in Utah.
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