Posted on 08/19/2025 9:34:44 AM PDT by Red Badger
TREMONTON, Utah — Two police officers responding to a domestic disturbance call were shot and killed in Utah, and a man was taken into custody after bystanders persuaded him to drop the gun, authorities said Monday.
The officers were identified as Sgt. Lee Sorensen, 56, and Officer Eric Estrada, 31, of the Tremonton-Garland Police Department.
A sheriff’s deputy and a police dog also were shot and wounded in their car as they arrived to help at a neighborhood in Tremonton on Sunday night. The deputy from Box Elder County was released from the hospital Monday and the dog was hospitalized in fair condition, police said.
“These officers are definitely heroes,” Police Chief Chad Reyes in neighboring Brigham City said at a news conference Monday morning.
When police respond to domestic disturbance calls, “we really don't know what we're walking into,” he said. “And they are one of the most dangerous events that we can be dispatched on.”
Police received multiple 911 hang-up calls from a home in the city. A single officer from the Tremonton-Garland Police Department arrived first and was speaking to someone at the home when the man came out with a gun, police said in a news release. Reyes said he believed the man lived at the house.
“The male opened fire on the officer, striking and killing the officer,” the news release said. A second officer from the department who responded “was immediately fired upon by the same male suspect" and was killed, it said.
After the officers were shot, bystanders persuaded the man to put down his weapon, police said. Up to 50 officers from multiple agencies responded. SWAT teams arrived to clear the home and verify that there was no further threat, police said.
The ranch-style home was cordoned off by yellow crime scene tape Monday. A trampoline and a blue children's pool could be seen on the front lawn.
Utah Gov. Spencer Cox called what happened “a terrible and tragic night." He posted online that he joined the state in mourning the loss “of these courageous law enforcement officers" and ordered flags to be flown at half-staff in their honor.
The suspect was arrested on charges of aggravated murder, police said. The names of the wounded deputy and the suspect have not been released.
Sorensen had served 17 years as a law enforcement officer and received multiple honors for his service to the community. He had recently been promoted to sergeant and was supposed to be sworn into his new role on Friday, the department said.
Estrada had worked in the jail in Box Elder County and as a patrol officer before joining the Tremonton-Garland Police Department. His colleagues described him as a dedicated father and husband who loved being on patrol so he could interact with people in the community.
Tremonton, which has about 13,000 people, is about 75 miles north of Salt Lake City at the junction of Interstates 15 and 84. It advertises itself as “a favorite midway stop for vacations" to destinations such as Yellowstone National Park, Bryce Canyon and the Grand Canyon. It also calls itself “Utah's City of Murals” with a walking tour featuring 18 works of public art.
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Editor's note: The story has been updated to correct the first name of the police chief to Chad.
“taken into custody after bystanders persuaded him to drop the gun”
Curious.
Yes, I suppose curious - but in a good way.
“and Officer Eric Estrada”...
Noooooo!
I bet he took a lot of kidding in his too short life.
“The suspect was arrested on charges of aggravated murder, police said. The name of the suspect has not been released.”
Hmmmm....
In that city, most likely a “latino” name.
Very tragic......
Prayers up for the survivor and the families of the dead officers.
And that justice would be done to the perp.
Utah has a death penalty and they use it............
Ryan Michael Bate...
History of domestic violence. In an out of courtrooms for same
That would be excellent!!!!
Hopefully, nobody gets him off on an *mentally incompetent to stand trial* plea. He had enough wherewithal to do the deed.
When you shoot at someone, there’s only one intent.
Did the officers not have their guns drawn and in a defensive position? WTH?
They shot Ponch?
Ambushed...................
I liked the world better when the cops didn’t have beards.
HOPE THE DOG SURVIVES
Yeah. Really I’m so sorry for the both of them. Rotten. So sick of this element, criminals who care nothing for the lives of people.
Yesterday’s version said the officers were killed, then the department retracted that.
I live in Utah but don’t watch local news so this update is saddening.
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