Estimated read time: 2-3 minutes
This archived news story is available only for your personal, non-commercial use. Information in the story may be outdated or superseded by additional information. Reading or replaying the story in its archived form does not constitute a republication of the story.
SOUTH SALT LAKE — As officers at the South Salt Lake Police Department mourn their fallen colleague, members of the community are showing their support.
Chief Jack Carruth said officer David Romrell was killed Saturday night after being struck by a vehicle when he and another officer tried to stop a fleeing car after they arrived at a report of a burglary.
The other officer shot and killed the driver of the vehicle.
Romrell, 31, had been with the department for 11 months. He was in the U.S. Marines before he became a police officer. Romrell is survived by his wife and a 4-month-old baby.
Officers from several police departments helped cover shifts for South Salt Lake officers as they mourned Romrell Sunday. Members of the community also came to the department to drop off flowers, ribbons and American flags.
“We always want to honor those that sacrificed their lives, especially in the line of duty,” said John Reed.
Reed is a member of the Honoring Heroes Foundation. He and his family arrived at the department Sunday morning with 30 American flags.
He and his 3-year-old daughter, Lily, planted the flags along the sidewalk surrounding the building. He hoped the flags would send a message to the officers inside.
“I hope they realize they’re not alone. There are thousands of people in the state of Utah that support them,” Reed said.
Kim Deacon also brought a bouquet to leave at the door.
“South Salt Lake has a good police department and this is just terrible for everyone,” Deacon said.
I hope they realize they’re not alone. There are thousands of people in the state of Utah that support them.
–John Reed
Several women who are married to South Salt Lake police officers also came to the department to hang blue-and-black ribbons on the trees surrounding the building.
A city council member who was helping asked that residents of South Salt Lake who put up Christmas lights outside their homes to add some blue lights as a tribute to Romrell.
