Utah grieves 2 officers killed in Tremonton shooting during domestic violence call

TREMONTON — Two Tremonton Garland police officers were killed on Sunday night, after responding to multiple 911 calls in a Tremonton neighborhood. A third deputy and a K9 were also injured by gunfire at the scene, according to Brigham City police. The officers were later identified as Sgt. Lee Sorensen, 56, and Officer Eric Estrada, 31. The surviving officer and K9 were identified as Deputy Mike Allred and three-year-old female Belgian Malinois, Azula. The suspected shooter in the case was identified as Ryan Bate, 32. According to an update given early Monday morning, multiple 911 hang-up calls had come in just after 9 p.m. Sunday near 700 North and 200 East, near North Park Elementary. The first two officers arrived and requested backup units. "They requested additional units and then stopped answering their radio," said Det. Crystal Beck, with Brigham City police. Police later said the first officer arrived and began speaking with an occupant in the home when Bate exited the home with a "high-powered rifle," according to a police affidavit. Police said Bate shot the first responding officer, killing him. The second was also fatally shot.The third to respond was a deputy with the Box Elder County Sheriff's Office, who responded with a K9. Bate allegedly fired multiple rounds at the deputy's car, hitting both him and the K9 inside. A group of officers was captured on video by neighbors moving into the area. The officer who was injured secured himself and gave directions to the group through his radio, which was obtained by KSL TV on a dispatch recording. The group tactically progressed to the home, where they found the two officers who'd been shot. Finally, it was bystanders at the scene who convinced Bate to put down his weapon, police said. Moments later, an officer was heard on dispatch radio announcing he had detained the man believed to be the shooter. The deputy and K9 stayed in the patrol car and were later evacuated to a nearby hospital and veterinary clinic. According to Hillary Koellner with the Department of Public Safety, Deputy Allred and K9 are both home and stable on Tuesday. Several agencies responded, including officers from Box Elder, Weber, and Cache counties. SWAT teams also responded "due to the level of violence" to clear the home afterward, verifying there was no continued threat. According to the affidavit, police discovered that Bate had assaulted his wife by slamming her head into a door frame before officers arrived, which prompted the 911 calls. [gallery columns="8" ids="809257,809256,809254,809258,809255,809253,809252,809193"] A shelter-in-place order remained active for hours in the area of 700 North and 200 East as the investigation continued.  According to the affidavit, Bate was booked into the Box Elder County Jail on suspicion of two counts of aggravated murder, attempted aggravated murder and assault.

Sorensen

Sorensen is survived by his wife, Lanette, and their children. After 17 years of experience, he had been recently promoted to sergeant, and would have been sworn into his new role on Friday. "Sgt. Sorensen was awarded the Distinguished Service Award by the Tremonton Fire Department in February of this year for his dedication, support, professionalism and commitment to excellence in assisting fire and EMS units during incidents," Tremonton police said. He and his wife also received Garland City's Wheelon Award in 202, which recognizes individuals who have "significantly impacted the city."

Estrada

Estrada is survived by his wife, Brittney, and their who children, Cienna and Luka. "He was a dedicated father and husband, deeply loving and cherishing his family," Tremonton police said. "He also enjoyed CrossFit, and his favorite role in a law enforcement was being on patrol, where he loved interacting with people and engaging with the community." Estrada began his career in 2017 at the Logan Police Department. He later served the Box Elder County Sheriff's Office and at North Park Police Department before joining the Tremonton-Garland department.

'Bring our boys home'

"Tragedies like these rock an entire community, state and even nation," police said Monday. "These officers and their families served theirs every day, and they will forever be remembered as heroes." On Monday afternoon, Utah Gov. Spencer Cox ordered all flags in the state to be flown at half-staff, to honor Sorensen and Estrada's sacrifice. A procession was carried on Monday night that spanned nearly 80 miles, from the Utah Medical Examiner's Office in Taylorsville back to the home towns of Sorensen and Estrada. Thousands flocked to the streets to pay their respects."We're a close-knit community and this hits really hard," said Brooks Nelson, a community member. "One of the officers had actually assisted my own daughter a few months ago when her car was backed into, and it's just really hard to imagine somebody could do this to them." "I knew 'em both," said Capt. Josh Munns, of Garland Fire Department. "I talked to one of them the night before. What I knew of them ... they were a mountain of men."

Contributing: Michael Houck, Brian Carlson and Mike Anderson, Andrew Adams, KSL TV and Adam Small, KSL NewsRadio

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