LOGAN — Two Tremonton-Garland police officers killed in the line of duty were honored Monday with a solemn procession, as residents gathered in Garland and Logan to mourn their loss.
A police motorcade escorted the bodies of Sgt. Lee Sorensen, 56, and Officer Eric Estrada, 31, to the Utah Office of the Medical Examiner in Taylorsville earlier in the day. A second procession began around 6 p.m., bringing the officers back to their hometowns.
The motorcade, including motorcycle officers from many of the law enforcement agencies throughout the state, traveled along I-15 to Rudd Funeral Home, where the body of Sgt. Sorensen was received. From there, the procession continued along Valley View Highway, SR-30, to Allen Hall Mortuary, where the body of Officer Estrada was received.
Several large flags were hung from buildings and fire trucks along the route. Blue ribbons were also tied around trees and street posts.
Thousands of citizens gathered in downtown Logan, lining Main Street and Center Street, standing shoulder to shoulder, in a show of community solidarity. Many held flags and placed their hands over their hearts as the procession went by.
After the hearse pulled into Allen Hall Mortuary, officers from the Tremonton-Garland Police Department escorted Officer Estrada’s flag draped casket into the funeral home. Law enforcement members lined up and saluted as the casket and Estrada’s family walked by.
Following the procession, many officers lingered outside, consoling and hugging each other. Some just looked on and wiped away tears, realizing the closeness of this tragedy. Utah Highway Patrol Sgt. Cade Brenchley expressed the emotions of the moment saying, “This is as bad as it gets.”
Officer Estrada began his law enforcement career in 2017 with the Logan Police Department. He later worked at the Box Elder County Sheriff’s Office and as a patrol officer and detective for the North Park Police Department before joining the Tremonton Police Department earlier this year. He is survived by his wife, Brittney, and their two children, Cienna and Luka.
Sgt. Sorensen, a 17-year law enforcement veteran, was recently promoted to sergeant and was scheduled to be sworn in on Friday. He spent 16 years with the department and was recognized by the Tremonton Fire Department in February with a Distinguished Service Award for his work assisting fire and EMS units. He is survived by his wife and their children.
The deaths came after the two officers and a Box Elder County Sheriff’s Deputy Mike Allred were shot while investigating a domestic violence situation late Sunday. Allred’s K-9, Azula, a 3-year-old female Belgian Malinois, were also injured in the shooting.
Utah Gov. Spencer Cox ordered all flags in the state to be lowered to half-staff in honor of the fallen officers. He said in a statement, “Today, our hearts are broken. Sgt. Lee Sorensen and Officer Eric Estrada gave their lives in service to their neighbors and community. Abby and I join all Utahns in mourning alongside their families, the Tremonton-Garland Police Department, and every officer who puts on the uniform to protect others.
“We owe these heroes a debt that can never be repaid. As we grieve, let us also recommit to supporting the men and women of law enforcement who stand on the front lines to keep our neighborhoods safe. May God bless the Sorensen and Estrada families, and all those who are hurting in this time of loss.”
Funeral arrangements are still being organized and will be announced later this week.