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By Emily Showgren
Intern for Senator Carlene Walker

On Monday, a tragic shooting unfolded at Trolley Square in Salt Lake City. Hundreds of police officers and emergency personnel responded and helped put an end to the tragedy. This morning I was honored to be in the presence of five officers who are now known as “hometown heroes” as they were recognized by the Utah State Senate.

Officer Ken Hammond from the Ogden Police Department was the off duty officer that first engaged the shooter. He was honored today with a citation from the Senate and given a medal of honor on behalf of the Ogden Police Department. Sergeants Andy Oblad and Josh Scharman and detectives Dustin Marshall and Brett Olsen of the Salt Lake Police Department were also honored with citations. As the reading clerk read the citations, she brought me to tears. It was amazing to see the people that risk their lives for us getting the recognition they deserve.

As a Utah citizen, I put my trust in legislators to represent the voice of our citizens. Today the officers received a thank you from them, on our behalf. We also took a moment to memorialize those who lost their lives during the shooting. They are Kirsten Hinckley, Vanessa Quinn, Jeffery Walker, Teresa Ellis and Brad Frantz. Our thoughts and prayers are also with the wounded who are A.J. Walker, Stacy Hansen, Shawn Munns and Carolyn Tuft.

Amid the tears and standing ovations, today was a day of appreciation and heartfelt thanks. Do not let it be just one day. Tomorrow the men and women of our police forces will risk their lives again to protect us. Let it be known that we appreciate them every day and they always have our support.

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