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RICHFIELD — The body of Sgt. Adrian Hillin, who worked for the Sevier County Sheriff's Office, will be escorted back home Monday. The 44-year-old was killed during a crash in Alabama on Feb. 10.
Adrian Hillin, his wife Kenzie, and his youngest son Gunner were in Alabama to watch his oldest son graduate from Army infantry training.
"That's the only place he wanted to be — out there seeing his son accomplish such admirations and life goals," said Jordan Hillin, Adrian Hillin's brother.
Jordan Hillin said his brother was beyond proud and excited to be there to watch his son, but after leaving the ceremony, Adrian, Kenzie and Gunner were involved in a deadly crash.
"Just to be at the highest of highs and then the absolute lowest of lows in that same day is heart-wrenching," Jordan Hillin said.
The family says things were particularly difficult because the crash was hundreds of miles from home and there wasn't much the family could do to get more information.
"We just got a call from a paramedic that said, 'You know your family had been in an accident,' and they couldn't tell us anything, so it was actually horrible," Jordan Hillin said.
Investigators told the family that a driver, going 65 miles an hour, ran a stop sign, crashing into the Hillin's car. Their car then smashed into a concrete building.
"In the beginning, they had said there was no fatalities. So, we were like, OK, at least they're alive," he said.
"We have that hope that everything was going to be OK," Stefani Hillin, Adrian's sister-in-law, said.
That hope was shattered, though, when the family finally got more information. Adrian had died on scene. Gunner was taken to a nearby hospital in Alabama, and Kenzie was flown by helicopter to a hospital in Georgia in critical condition and has yet to wake up from a coma.
"It's going to be heartbreaking to tell her the news, but we just have to go day by day," Stefani Hillin said.
Now, the family is spending their days remembering Adrian Hillin.
"He was the bigger brother that always protected me and watched out for me," Jordan Hillin said.
A trait that carried into Adrian's career and life passion of serving his community. All with a smile. And that's what his brother says he will miss most.
"His smile, his laugh — he was always smiling and laughing. He was one of those guys that never had a bad day."
Jordan says family and family in blue meant everything to Adrian.
His squad will be coming to the Salt Lake International Airport Monday to escort his body back to Richfield. Adrian's father, brother and son will be able to carry him off the plane.
A GoFundMe* page has been set up to help Adrian's children with expenses.
Funeral services for Adrian will be held Saturday, Feb. 26 at 11 a.m. in the Annabella Ward Chapel.
Friends may call at the Magleby Mortuary in Richfield Friday from 6-8 p.m., or Saturday at the ward chapel in Annabella from 9-10:30 a.m.
Live streaming of the services and online guestbook can be found at the Magleby Mortuary's website under Adrian's obituary.
*KSL.com does not assure that the money deposited to the account will be applied for the benefit of the persons named as beneficiaries. If you are considering a deposit to the account, you should consult your own advisers and otherwise proceed at your own risk.
