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DELTA -- Services for a Millard County deputy gunned down in the line of duty earlier this week began Sunday with a viewing.
The viewing for Deputy Josie Greathouse Fox began at 6 p.m., but a long line formed nearly an hour before. At least 1,000 law enforcement officers, firefighters, family, friends and members of the community showed up to remember Deputy Fox.
"Obviously in our line of work, when an officer -- in this case a deputy -- loses their life, the world stops for us," said Chief Del Craig of the Taylorsville Police Department.
One person in attendance said it took nearly two hours to get through the line. The line snaked around the parking lot as people waited in the freezing cold to say goodbye to their Josie.
"It's the least we could do to honor her," said friend Elizabeth Peterson. "She's a beautiful lady, inside and out."
Earlier Sunday afternoon, funeral director David Nickle worked with the owner of Cousins Floral, Marilyn Blanch, to arrange a setup worthy of the courageous Deputy Fox. They brought in more than 100 floral arrangements from community members, friends and law enforcement agencies from all over the country.
Blanch said she's never seen anything like this before. They've had to make several trips to St. George and Provo to get more flowers.
"It's such a sad affair that everyone wants to send their sympathy," said Blanch. "That's why it's been such a hard one for our community."
Nickle said the tragedy brought the community together.
"They're all hard, but this particular case where it's a tragedy, it's not the type you would hope to encounter," said Nickle.
Nickle set out memorabilia from Fox's life. The display showed she was much more than just a deputy. She loved to race BMX bikes and her awards proved her skill.
She was also an avid hunter, but most of all, she loved law enforcement. The people she helped wrote her letters, which were on display at the service.
"She was everybody's friend, you know, and it didn't matter if she was in her car or grocery shopping, she just always had a smile," said Peterson.
But it is her family who will miss her the most. She left behind her husband Douglas and their two children, Spencer and Hunter. Family friends said words couldn't describe how they were feeling.
"Lost, empty," said friend Peter Madsen. "This should have never been." {#fox family}
Monday's funeral is scheduled for 11 a.m. at an LDS stake center in Delta, and is expected to draw an even bigger crowd. About 500 law enforcement officials alone are expected to attend, along with numerous others touched by the life of Deputy Fox.
"It should be one of the largest turnouts for a funeral we've been involved with," said Nickle.
Fox was shot and killed Tuesday during a traffic stop. After a nearly 30-hour search, police arrested Roberto Miramontes Roman Wednesday. He's been charged with aggravated murder and could be sentenced to death if convicted.
E-mail: ngonzales@ksl.com
