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WEST VALLEY — A Salt Lake County deputy will soon be laid to rest.
Twenty-year-old Emaloni Takitoa Lutui died rescuing his girlfriend from a frozen lake on Jan. 29.
"We want it to be the best so we've just been trying to prepare," Meliani Tonga Mila, Lutui's aunt said. "We're trying to focus on Loni. He was only 20 but accomplished so much."
On Jan. 29, Lutui was finishing a hike with his girlfriend when she fell through the ice at Settlement Canyon Reservoir about 7 p.m., according to family members.
Lutui jumped into the frozen water and rescued her, but he never resurfaced. His body was recovered a few hours later by search and rescue crews shortly after 11 p.m.
"I don't think there was any hesitation," Mila said. "It's been healing for everyone to understand (that) he would've done that for anyone. So the fact that he did it for her, we hope that she can find peace in that, that was his last act of love for her."
In respecting Lutui's Tongan heritage, his aunt and loved ones are preparing for his funeral services planned for Saturday.
Lutui's dream of helping others came true just weeks before his death. He graduated from the sheriff's academy on Jan. 11 and was hired as a deputy for the Salt Lake County Sheriff's Office. He was working at the jail and training to be a corrections officer.
"He didn't ask for much. He quietly served. He never wanted recognition," Mila said. "Planning this was also hard, trying to make sure we incorporated our cultural ties but also stayed true to him; he was very simple."
But on Friday they'll honor his sacrifice, as they say their last goodbyes.
"It's him that would pull everyone together; he was such a sweet spirit," Mila said. "We can really feel everyone pushing from the other side, just so much help."
Lutui is survived by two brothers and three sisters, his parents and a young son.
A family viewing will be held from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. on Saturday. A funeral service will be held from 1 p.m. to 2 p.m. at 12154 South 3600 West in Riverton. The public is welcome to attend.
A burial service will be held at Valley View Cemetery in West Valley City, located at 4335 W. 4100 South.
A GoFundMe* page is available to assist with funeral costs.
*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.
