WEST VALLEY CITY — A 25-year-old officer was struck by a vehicle and killed during a brief pursuit early Sunday morning and three individuals are in custody in relation to the case, police said.

The officer, identified as Cody Brotherson, died at the scene. West Valley Police Chief Lee Russo said Brotherson joined West Valley Police in December 2013 and was survived by his parents, two brothers and a fiancee.

"(He) was a West Valley born and bred individual and our hearts are heavy with his loss," Russo said. "He was a great young man. ... This man gave his life. We honor that and this community honors that."

Outside of the family home, Brotherson's mother, Jenny, issued a tearful statement about her son's death.

"He wanted to be a police officer his entire life. That dream was realized three years ago and was cut short this morning," she said, with the Brotherson family standing behind her on the curb of the driveway. "... Cody was the most generous, helpful (and) understanding human being and we're so proud with what he did with his life."

Police responded to a report early Sunday of a "suspicious circumstance" involving a vehicle stopped near 4100 South and Redwood Road.

West Valley police spokeswoman Roxeanne Vainuku said an officer observed three individuals heading toward a nearby apartment complex and officers witnessed the individuals steal another vehicle from the parking lot of the apartment complex at about 3:30 a.m.

Officers then began a pursuit of the vehicle. Vainuku said an attempt to spike the fleeing vehicle's tires was made near 4100 South and Redwood Road. She said that officer reported that the vehicle veered toward the officers as the attempt was made, but the vehicle missed the officer.

About 30 seconds later, officers called for medical attention when Brotherson was struck near 4100 South and 2200 West. Vainuku said investigators believe Brotherson was attempting to deploy a spike strip when he was struck.

"He was certainly responding to the coordinated effort in stopping this vehicle," Russo added.

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The pursuit lasted "less than a minute" before Brotherson was struck near the intersection of 4100 South and 2200 West and the individuals inside the vehicle fled on foot, Russo said.

Officers apprehended the individuals a short time later.

Vainuku said the three individuals in custody were being interviewed Sunday morning.

"We're questioning them to figure out what their level of involvement is in this situation," she said.

Russo said the investigation has been transferred to another agency, per protocol.

A police procession helped in escorting Brotherson's body from the scene of where he was struck in West Valley City to the State Medical Examiner's office in Salt Lake City for an autopsy. Another procession then escorted his body to a funeral home Sunday evening.

The Utah Highway Patrol posted troopers at the medical examiner's office as an "honor watch." Troopers will stay with Brotherson's remains through his funeral.

Jenny Brotherson said the family was planning funeral services, which would be announced at a later time.

The Utah 1033 Foundation intends to deliver a $25,000 check to Brotherson's family. The Utah-based nonprofit is dedicated to providing immediate financial assistance to the families of fallen law enforcement officers in the state.

Russo said Brotherson is the first officer killed in the line of duty since the forming of the West Valley Police Department in 1980.

"It devastates us," Russo said. "That's the bottom line, we're a family."

Utah Governor Gary Herbert released a statement Sunday afternoon, which included the ordering of flags to be flown at half-staff throughout Utah on the day of Brotherson's funeral.

"We are heartbroken to lose such a young and dedicated officer who by all accounts had a bright future ahead of him," Herbert said in the statement. "We offer our prayers and sincere condolences to his family, fiancee, friends and the entire law enforcement community at this difficult time."

Brotherson is the second officer that has died in the line of duty this year and 140th officer killed in the line of duty in Utah. In January, [Unified police officer Doug Barney was shot and killed](<https://www.ksl.com/?sid=38168303&nid=148 >) while pursuing a man that walked away from a crash scene in Holladay.

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