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OREM — Master officer Joseph Shinners of the Provo Police Department was killed in the line of duty on Jan. 5 and his funeral is being held Saturday in honor of his life and service.
Shinners, 29, was shot outside of a Bed Bath and Beyond in Orem while trying to apprehend a fugitive. Since his death, Utahns have come together to honor his memory and mourn the loss of the beloved officer.
The day after his death, Shinners was given a posthumous promotion to the rank of master officer. Hundreds gathered Wednesday night at the Provo City Center for a candlelight vigil in his honor.
"Joe will never be forgotten in this community or in this police department," Police Chief Rich Ferguson said at the vigil. "As a chief, he brightened my day. I love Joe. He's a scrapper, a hockey player. He wasn't afraid to get in there and to take the bad guy to jail and do what he had to do, but he also was the guy that would give a hug to somebody who was on the way to jail. That's his character and that's who he is."
A Boston native, Springville High School and Utah Valley University alumnus, and police officer from a family of law enforcement officials, Shinners is remembered across the United States. His funeral is being held at 11 a.m. at the Utah Valley University UCCU Center in Orem.
Watch the funeral here:
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In honor of Shinner's service, here's a look back at his life:
Ryan Swanson, Shinner's father-in-law, shared all the details about his life for the timeline.
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A funeral procession will take place after the funeral. The route can be seen below.
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