Names of 2 fallen northern Utah police officers added to state memorial

SALT LAKE CITY – The names of two fallen officers from northern Utah have been added to the state's law enforcement memorial. Family members of Sgt. Lee Sorensen and Officer Eric Estrada, of the Tremonton-Garland Police Department, shared memories of their loved ones at a ceremony Thursday evening at the Utah Capitol. Sorensen and Estrada were both shot and killed last August while responding to a domestic violence call in Tremonton. Their accused killer was arrested and charged with aggravated murder.

Sgt. Lee Sorensen

During Thursday’s ceremony, Lacee Sorensen remembered her father as a devoted law enforcement officer. She said she spent much of her life sharing him “with the job that he loved.” “I did not mind this,” she said. “It was something I had grown up knowing he had wanted to do, and I was so very proud of him.” Lacee noted the respect other people held for her father. “He loved his community,” she said. “He loved helping others. He preferred to stay busy, and he was always doing something.”Outside the office, Lacee said, her father jumped to help her whenever she needed it. “I remember my dad being the first person I would call after all of my car accidents,” she said, “and either him talking me through everything or taking time out of his day to drive to wherever I was when the car accident occurred.”

Officer Eric Estrada

Brittney Estrada also spoke at Thursday’s ceremony about her husband and the legacy he leaves behind. “When I think about Eric, the first thing that comes to mind isn't the badge,” she said. “It's the way that he loved.” Brittney called her husband “the best dad” who “delighted” in his two children, both of whom joined their mother to place his name on the Utah Law Enforcement Memorial. She said she misses the “little moments” now that her husband is gone. “It's his place at the dinner table sitting empty. It's missing dancing in the kitchen while we make dinner, listening to our children play in the background,” Brittney said. She added, “if you walk through our home today, you would see all of his belongings right where he left them. A part of me is still hopeful he’ll walk back through the door.”

‘They will be missed’

Many turned out to pay their respects at the officers’ funeral services last year. Now their names have joined 152 other law enforcement officers in Utah who died in the line of duty. “We're going to always remember and honor them,” said Tremonton-Garland Police Chief Dustin Cordova, “and they will be missed.” Next week the families of Sgt. Sorensen and Officer Estrada will travel to Washington D.C. to attend a candlelight vigil at the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial. KSL will travel with them and will have complete coverage of their efforts to honor their loved ones.

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