Two Utah police officers were tragically killed in the line of duty on Sunday evening. The fallen officers, Sgt. Lee Sorensen, 56, and Officer Eric Estrada, 31, of the Tremonton-Garland Police Department, were honored on Monday with a procession that escorted their bodies to the medical examiner’s office and then back to their hometowns in northern Utah.
The city of Tremonton closed all its offices on Monday in preparation for the procession. Utah Governor Spencer Cox ordered all state flags to be lowered to half-staff in honor of the fallen officers.
The tragic incident occurred when the officers were responding to a domestic violence situation late Sunday. In addition to the two officers who were killed, Box Elder County Sheriff’s Deputy Mike Allred and his police K-9, Azula, a 3-year-old Belgian Malinois, were also shot and injured during the incident.
The suspect, identified as 32-year-old Ryan Michael Bate, was armed with a high-powered rifle. According to a police booking affidavit, Bate had assaulted his wife prior to the arrival of the police. Deputy Allred, who was shot, was taken to a local hospital in fair condition and was released on Monday morning. His K-9 partner, Azula, was seriously injured but is expected to survive.
Sgt. Sorensen, a 17-year veteran of the police force, had recently been promoted to sergeant and was due to be sworn into his new role on Friday. He is survived by his wife, Lanette, and their children. Officer Estrada began his career in 2017 and had served in various roles in different departments before joining the Tremonton Police Department. He is survived by his wife, Brittney, and their two children, Cienna and Luka.
The suspect was eventually convinced to put down his weapon by bystanders and was taken into custody by additional responding officers. Bate was booked into the Weber County Jail for investigation of two counts of aggravated murder, attempted aggravated murder, and assault.
The tragic incident has sent shockwaves through the community, with many state leaders, lawmakers, and police agencies extending their condolences. Governor Cox expressed his sorrow over the loss of the officers, stating that the state owed these heroes a debt that could never be repaid.