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WEST JORDAN — Police are looking for a West Valley City police officer missing since Tuesday.
Michael Valdes, 37, was last seen Tuesday evening when he told his wife he was leaving for work. He never arrived at work.
Valdes, who has been with the West Valley City Police Department for more than 10 years, has not been seen or heard from since Tuesday, according to Sgt. Dan Roberts with the West Jordan Police Department.
Roberts said Valdes' disappearance does not appear to be linked to the ongoing turmoil within the West Valley City Police Department.
West Jordan Police Chief Doug Diamond said the department has been working since Wednesday morning to determine whether Valdes left the area voluntarily.
Anything is possible. We don't know. Officers of that stature have been kidnapped before or taken against their will. We're just trying to figure out exactly what happened.
–Chief Doug Diamond, WVCPD
"Anything is possible. We don't know," Diamond said. "Officers of that stature have been kidnapped before or taken against their will. We're just trying to figure out exactly what happened."
West Valley City Police Sgt. Mike Powell said Valdes, who works in the patrol division, is a responsible, personable officer, and his unexpected departure is "not typical."
"For something of this nature to happen obviously has us concerned, and his family is very concerned," Powell said.
There is no indication that struggles at home, frustration or danger from his work as an officer, or threats contributed to Valdes' disappearance, which has both agencies worried, Powell said.
Valdes is believed to be driving a black 2006 Infiniti QX56 with Utah license plate B975SJ. He is 6-feet-2-inches tall with a slender build and dark complexion. He was wearing dark jeans, a dark blue hoodie with bright turquoise and Jordan basketball shoes.
"I'm asking Mike, if he's out there, to call us and let us know what's going on," Diamond said. "I'm asking the public, if they've seen Mike, if they think they've seen Mike, to give us a call."
Anyone with any information is asked to call the West Jordan Police Department at 801-840-4000.
Contributing: Linda Williams
Video contribution: Jed Boal
