Brand new deputy remembered as hero for saving girlfriend from icy reservoir

Emaloni Takitoa Lutui graduates from the Salt Lake County sheriff's academy on Jan. 11. Lutui is remembered as a hero after he died Monday saving his girfriend from an icy reservoir.

Emaloni Takitoa Lutui graduates from the Salt Lake County sheriff's academy on Jan. 11. Lutui is remembered as a hero after he died Monday saving his girfriend from an icy reservoir. (Salt Lake County Sheriff's Office)


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SALT LAKE CITY — The Salt Lake County Sheriff's Office is remembering one of its newest deputies as a hero who died Monday saving his girlfriend from an icy reservoir.

Emaloni Takitoa Lutui, 20, of Taylorsville, saved the woman who fell through the ice at Settlement Canyon Reservoir in Tooele County Monday night. His final act was to push her out of the water.

The woman, who has not been identified, was treated for cold exposure after the incident.

"We are heartbroken with the loss of deputy Lutui. He displayed extraordinary courage and selflessness in the face of immediate danger," Salt Lake County Sheriff Rosie Rivera said Wednesday. "His unwavering commitment to the well-being of others is a true testament of his character. He will be deeply missed by all who knew him."

Lutui had just graduated from the sheriff's academy on Jan. 11. He was serving at the jail and training to be a corrections officer.

The two were walking around the area together Monday, "almost on a little hike," said Tooele Police Cpl. Colbey Bentley.

They were just a couple of feet from the bank when they went in and both fell in together.

"There was some sort of conversation between the two where they had decided to try and shed their coats and shoes to try and alleviate some weight from dragging them under. … Mr. Lutui was able to save the life of that female," he said.

"As his last gesture, he was able to get her out. Had it not been for him, we probably would have had two fatalities here," Bentley said. "He was able to grab ahold of her legs and he was able to push her up and out onto the ice and onto the bank. It was shortly after that Mr. Lutui passed away."

Bentley added: "Truly a last heroic effort, a sacrifice that — whether he realized or not that he wasn't going to make it — he made sure that she made it. It's pretty inspiring."

Even though Lutui was only with the sheriff's office for a short amount of time, Rivera said he impacted many people and brought joy and laughter to everyone he worked with.

During a press conference Wednesday, the sheriff said she had met with Lutui's family and they told her he was so excited to be a deputy and wear a badge — and the family is so proud of him.

Lutui had an innate desire to serve people and had a goal to serve the community, Rivera said. By making it through the academy, he was able to fulfill a piece of that dream.

"It was very heroic of him. He just loved her and wanted to make sure she was out and it's hard to know what happened during those moments. We're incredibly proud of him and at the same time he will be missed," she said.

Rivera said Lutui leaves behind a young son and his family is hoping to preserve Lutui's legacy so his son can have memories of who his father was.

"You could always find him serving someone and he literally gave his life saving his girlfriend from drowning," an uncle of Lutui posted on Facebook. "We're going to miss you Big Loni thanks for being a great nephew so proud of you see you when we get there. We love you so much!!"

Contributing: Shelby Lofton

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Cassidy Wixom is an award-winning reporter for KSL.com. She covers Utah County communities, arts and entertainment, and breaking news. Cassidy graduated from BYU before joining KSL in 2022.

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