Santaquin officer to be honored at Utah Capitol on first anniversary of his death
According to the Santaquin Police Department, its office will be closed to the public for most of the day so officers can attend the ceremony at the Utah State Capitol.
EXCLUSIVE: Wife of Sgt. Hooser speaks out for the first time
Officers, family, friends, and leaders attend the annual event where they hold flag ceremonies, a service with bagpipes, the release of doves, and a rifle salute in honor of the 150 officers who have been killed in the line of duty in Utah, according to the Utah Law Enforcement Memorial.
This year, the ceremony will include the engraving of Hooser's name on the Honor Wall.
The Santaquin community has already begun honoring Hooser by wrapping city trees with blue ribbons. The tribute was done last year after his death, and the department asked for community help to do so again for this first anniversary. The ribbons are still available for pickup at the police department on Thursday and Friday, despite the office's partial closure.
If you decide to participate in wrapping a tree with a blue ribbon, the department asks that you remove it after National Police Week, which ends on May 17.
On May 5, 2024, Hooser was killed by a semi-truck after initiating a traffic stop. The driver, now identified as Michael Aaron Jayne — allegedly fled the scene before making a U-turn into Hooser.
Hooser is survived by his wife, Kinda, and his two daughters and granddaughter.
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