Estimated read time: 5-6 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 Information in the story may be outdated or superseded by additional information.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.
DELTA -- The Millard County sheriff's deputy killed in the line of duty last week was laid to rest Monday. Between her viewing Sunday and funeral Monday, thousands turned out to pay their respects to Josie Greathouse Fox.
Fox honored by officers across the state
It seems officers from every law enforcement department in the state -- from the largest to the small one-officer departments -- made the trip to Delta to honor Fox.
"It's an honor to be here at a very tough and sad time for the law enforcement family," said Juab County Sheriff Alden Orme. "It's to honor the deputy and show respect to the family. It's an honor to be here."
"We're here to pay our condolences and our appreciation for her service to our great state and this county," said Wayne County Sheriff Kurt Taylor. "When a fellow officer is killed in the line of duty, it brings us all together and helps us to understand the importance of law enforcement, community and working together."
Fox remembered for service and smile
Her funeral literally brought thousands to the small community she called home. Inside of the chapel, it was standing room-only, even in the hallways.
Fox was remembered during the service as someone who dedicated her life to law enforcement since becoming a deputy in 2004. Family and friends said becoming a police officer was something Fox always wanted to do and had trained for her whole life. She wanted to use her life experiences to benefit others in the community.
Her colleagues remembered her as someone with a beautiful smile, who was willing to do the tough jobs of the department, regardless of whether she was on or off duty.
"She was so proud to be a deputy sheriff of Millard County, and so proud she could be a female deputy sheriff and could handle any task we gave her, day in and day out, and did it well," said Millard County Sheriff Robert Dekker.
The sheriff also shared with us what he believes the only female deputy in his office brought to his department.
"I will remember that law enforcement can be performed with compassion sometimes. She taught us that sometimes, for us macho cops, that might be a good lesson for us to remember," Dekker said.
In his eulogy, the sheriff talked of the candle-lit memorial that stand in the Delta City Park. He said even though the candles will eventually burn out, the light of Fox's influence on the community will never dim.
Fox honored with funeral procession
After the service, motorcycle officers led the procession to the Delta cemetery. Fox's fellow Millard County deputies followed behind the hearse.
From Main Street to the cemetery, members of the community lined the street with American flags. They stood for two hours, until the final police car passed by.
Sheri Farnsworth and her daughter Allysa were some of the hundreds who stood in respect, holding a flag for Fox.
"When you have a small community like this, it hits home," Sheri Farnsworth said. "We just want to show our respect to the family,t he rest of the deputies in the state and those that have come out of state. It is one little thing we can do as a family."
At the cemetery, Fox was given full police honors by the Utah Highway Patrol Honor Guard -- including a 21-gun salute and the playing of taps. The flag on her casket was folded and then presented to her husband by Sheriff Dekker.
"It's a tragedy of great proportion that she met with her death, but how does one express the gratitude for her protection of this community and what our officers do statewide? Remarkable," said Lt. Gov. Greg Bell, who was representing Gov. Gary Herbert at Monday's services.
Sherriff says good can come from tragedy
Sheriff Dekker said he hopes the circumstances of Fox's death will help unite, not divide, the community. He believes there can be some good to come out of this tragedy.
"The bringing of our communities together to remind us of the blessings that we do have and the good things going on, and that we do have good people here, and that one person can make a difference," Dekker said.
Fox was shot and killed during a traffic stop Jan. 5. The shooting sparked a statewide manhunt until officials found accused killer Roberto Roman hiding in a shed in Beaver the next day.
Roman was charged with capital murder and tampering with evidence in connection with the shooting. He is being held without bail in the Millard County Jail.
A Millard County prosecutor has said he is likely to seek the death penalty if Roman is convicted on the murder charge.
Roman is scheduled to return to court on Jan. 20.
------
Story compiled with contributions from Sam Penrod and Marc Giauque.
