Police: 26-year-old officer burned in Kaysville incident in 'good spirits' during recovery

KAYSVILLE — A Kaysville police officer is in good spirits but is still experiencing a lot of pain after he was burned earlier this week trying to save a man who had lit himself on fire at a gas station, police said.

Officer Robert Jackson, 26, was still recovering at University of Utah Hospital as of Saturday evening, according to Kaysville Assistant Police Chief Seth Ellington. Ellington said he stayed overnight with Jackson at the hospital and that, while Jackson is in a lot of pain, he is in good spirits.

Jackson was one of several officers who responded to a Chevron gas station in Kaysville on Thursday afternoon after Tyler Ivison, 26, doused himself with gas and lit himself on fire in a bathroom, police said.

Ivison and Jackson, along with three other Kaysville police officers, were taken to area hospitals with burn wounds. Ivison was still in the hospital as of Friday, according to police.

Sgt. Shawn McKinnon and officer Lacy Turner have returned to work, police confirmed Saturday. The third officer, Cade Bradshaw, received more severe burns during the incident and is recuperating at home with his family.

Two other Kaysville police officers were checked for smoke inhalation after the incident, Ellington said. All the officers except for Jackson were released from the hospital on Thursday afternoon.

The officers responded to the Chevron at 200 N. 300 West in Kaysville about 2 p.m. Thursday. They tried to restrain Ivison and take a lighter that was in his hand, but he lit the gasoline with the lighter, injuring himself and the four officers, according to police.

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4 officers burned in Kaysville incident, police say

Four officers had burn injuries after they tried to help a man who lit himself on fire at a Kaysville gas station, officials confirmed Thursday afternoon.

Jackson was the officer who dealt directly with Ivison during the incident, officials said Thursday.

Kaysville Police Chief Sol Oberg said Thursday that the situation was “heartbreaking.”

"It’s very emotional for me to hear and see," Oberg said. "At the same time, I feel a lot of pride in the fact that these officers, without hesitation, responded to an emergency to save not only this suicidal person but a lot of other people in what could have been literally an explosive situation."

There are 27 officers on the Kaysville police force, Ellington said.

Editor’s note: This story has been updated to include the correct name of Assistant Police Chief Seth Ellington.

Know the warning signs

If you or someone you know is experiencing suicidal thoughts or exhibiting warning signs, call 1-800-273-TALK (8255).

The following are warning signs of immediate risk. Call 911 if you or someone you know is experiencing the following:

Threatening to hurt or kill themself or talking of wanting to hurt or kill themself

Looking for ways to kill themself by seeking access to firearms, available pills or other means

Talking or writing about death, dying or suicide when these actions are out of the ordinary

Additional Warning Signs:

Increased substance use

No reason for living, no sense of purpose in life

Anxiety, agitation, unable to sleep or sleeping all the time

Feeling trapped — like there's no way out

Hopelessness

Withdrawal from friends, family and society

Rage, uncontrolled anger, seeking revenge

Acting reckless or engaging in risky activities, seemingly without thinking

Dramatic mood changes

_{Courtesy of the Utah Suicide Prevention Coalition}

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