TREMONTON — When Bill Roosma heard that two police officers were fatally shot in his small town, he knew there would be a procession to honor them.
He expected most of the town to line the streets to show support for law enforcement. And they did, in the thousands.
“We need to be here for this. I bet Dustin Cordova, the police chief, is just hurt right now,” Roosma said. “I know I’ve spoken with both of these officers before, and I felt I needed to come out here to show all officers we appreciate them.”
The procession brought the bodies of Tremonton-Garland Police Sgt. Lee Sorensen and officer Eric Estrada from the Utah Office of the Medical Examiner in Taylorsville through Tremonton then on to Garland and Logan, where the officers lived. The procession faced a two-hour delay, but that did not impact many people’s desire to stay to honor the officers who were shot and killed Sunday evening while responding to a domestic violence call.
Tremont Street, Main Street and 300 East were lined with American flags and people by 7 p.m. Those who arrived earlier used the time to get a flag and maybe sit and chat with the neighbor about the importance of people along the flag-lined streets.
But they did not leave. Few people left when told of the delay.
The need to show support to law enforcement and their families was on the front of not only Roosma’s mind but several others from Tremonton, Brigham City and even Ogden, Salt Lake City and Taylorsville.
They also read the news of the deaths of Tremonton-Garland police officers who were shot when responding to a domestic disturbance Sunday evening and wanted to pay their respects.
“I try to go to every single one of these, a procession for a fallen officer,” said Shane Larsen, of Ogden. “I don’t think a lot of people understand the importance of being a part of one of these. But I do. I try to support law enforcement as much as I can.”
Larsen was at the procession with his mother, Audrey Larsen, who also lives in Ogden. She was moved by the news of the officers’ death and felt she needed to be in Tremonton on Monday.
“It’s support for the officers, but also their families. These officers protect us so we should honor them when we can,” she said.
When the hearses arrived, without an announcement or word from anyone, people moved to the edge of the sidewalks with their flags or hands held over their hearts. Main Street in downtown Tremonton was silent with the exception of the sound of motorcades, fire trucks and police and sheriff’s vehicles leading the way for the hearses of the fallen officers.
Some people who attended the procession had family members who were also law enforcement officers and said they felt immediately for the families of the fallen officers. They each spoke of going to bed worried about a son, daughter, husband, wife, nephew, niece, grandson, or granddaughter, and felt the family members of the officers had done the same.
Many said their prayers were with the families Monday evening and for their own loved ones who serve and protect communities throughout Utah.
“We know many of the officers, and my grandson is a police officer and my husband is a volunteer deputy with Box Elder. This is very personal to me,” said Gloria Smart, who lives in Idaho. “I know what it’s like to orry for these officers and to think that two families lost two officers. ... It’s important to show we’re there for them, too.”
Earlier Monday, many community members left work to visit the police department and left bouquets of flowers. Several arrangements were also taken inside the city offices.
Emylea Everest brought her young son, Ronan, to pay their respects.
“I think for his age, kids and then even teenagers, it’s really important to know that these officers are here to help,” Everest said. “They’re not here to be scary or get people in trouble or whatever they really want you to be safe.”
She said she’s been a victim of domestic violence.
“The relief that you feel when they come to your door … it’s huge,” Everest said of the police.
The Box Elder County Fair, now in its 100th year, had been set to begin with a horse parade celebration through town on Monday. Flyers and banners marking the fair’s centennial can be seen throughout the small city.
After Sorensen and Estrada were shot and killed Sunday night, fair organizers made the decision to cancel the parade. Organizers asked the community to still come out, not to cheer for horses, but to honor the fallen officers as a procession carried them home.
Even as mourning continues, county leaders say the fair will go on as planned in the coming days.
County Commissioner Lee Perry said the community just might need the tradition more than ever right now.
“We’re still going to have a hundred-year celebration because bad guys don’t win,” Perry said.
“We’re going to continue to make this go forward and honor these officers. There will be tributes throughout the week to these Tremonton officers, and we’re concerned about our deputy as well. We’re going to go visit with him today and see how he’s doing. But our goal is to make sure the people of Box Elder County know we’re behind our law enforcement 100%.”
The shootings
Just after 9 p.m. Sunday, an officer from the Tremonton-Garland Police Department responded to several 911 hang-up calls from a Tremonton neighborhood. The officer was speaking to a resident at 705 N. 200 East about an apparent domestic dispute when a man with a gun emerged from the home.
“The male opened fire on the officer, striking and killing the officer,” Reyes said.
Ryan Michael Bate, 32, “was armed with a high-powered rifle,” according to a police booking affidavit.
“Bate opened fire on two officers, fatally wounding both. A Box Elder County K-9 deputy, responding to a call for backup, was also shot while inside his vehicle. The deputy sustained serious but non-life-threatening injuries. Bullets penetrating the vehicle struck the deputy’s police service K-9 in the rear compartment, causing serious injuries; the K-9 is expected to survive,” the affidavit states.
“The investigation revealed that, prior to police arrival, Bate had assaulted his wife by slamming her head into a door frame,” the affidavit says.
In addition to the deaths of Estrada and Sorensen, Box Elder County sheriff’s deputy Mike Allred and his police K-9, Azula, a 3-year-old female Belgian Malinois, were shot and injured. Allred was taken to a local hospital in fair condition. He was released from the hospital Monday morning. Azula is expected to be held at the vet clinic as a precaution.
Contributing: Shelby Lofton, Alex Cabrero
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