"It's very painful": South Salt Lake police and a community bereavement officer killed in the line of duty

SOUTH SALT LAKE – Red, white and blue police officers surrounded the South Salt Lake Police Department on Sunday.

When the community learned that 31-year-old agent David Romrell had been killed in the line of duty, citizens went to the police department to hang blue ribbons, while that some, like Kim Deacon, left flowers of fortune. Memorial.

"South Salt Lake has a good police service and it's horrible for everyone," she said.

John Reed, a member of the Honoring Heroes Foundation, has placed American flags on the street outside the department so that all agents know that they have the support of the community and that the public is crying for them.

"I hope that they realize that they are not alone," he said.

Saturday night, Romrell, who served several times as a US Navy before becoming a police officer 11 months ago, was killed by a fleeing vehicle. He is the first officer of South Salt Lake killed in the performance of his duties.

"Although we know the risk of this work, we are not prepared for it, it has taken us by surprise, it is very painful," said the excited leader Jack Carruth at a press conference held Sunday. 15:30.

Hundreds of police officers from across the state gathered Saturday night at the Intermountain Medical Center to pay tribute to a man who has dedicated his life to serving his community and his country. They lined up outside the hospital and greeted Romrell's body who was escorted to the office of the Forensic Pathologist of the state of Utah. A guard of honor will watch day and night on his body until his funeral. Funeral arrangements were still being worked out on Sunday.

The fatal confrontation occurred when Romrell and another officer responded to a report of an ongoing burglary at 3575 S. West Temple. According to the police, a person who was still in the company while the alleged burglars were trying to enter 911

When the officers arrived, two men attempted to leave the commercial complex, Carruth said.

"The driver of the vehicle then accelerated to the agents, the striking officer David Romrell," he said.

The driver, Felix Anthony Calata, 32, of West Valley City, was shot. It was not known immediately whether the two officers had fired with their weapons. After the crash of Calata's vehicle, her passenger came out and ran.

South Lake police detective Gary Keller said the man was captured shortly after with the help of K-9 police. But after questioning him, the man was released, according to the unified police. At that time, there was no evidence that the passenger, whose name had not been disclosed, committed a crime, said the Unified Police sergeant. Melody Gray.

Romrell was taken to the Intermountain Medical Center where he had an emergency surgery but died as a result of his injuries.

"He did everything right but was targeted by this vehicle while he was running away," said Carruth.

Romrell is survived by his wife and a 4 month old boy. Carruth said that he was a very humble, soft-spoken man, who was "very kind" but also "very square". His "passion," said the chief, was in the service, first of his country as a navy, then of his community.

A GoFundMe link was set up Sunday to help raise funds for Romrell's family.

The unified police will conduct the investigation into the incident. Unified and other departments also participated in Sunday's patrol in southern Salt Lake and handled many of their calls when officers from this department had time to mourn.

While the news of Romrell's death was spreading, tributes from other law enforcement agencies and state officials filled social media Sunday morning. Many have changed their Facebook profile picture into a South Salt Lake police patch chart and a black band badge on it, along with the words "Remembering Agent David Romrell".

"Jeanette and I accompany the entire family of the South Salt Lake Police in the mourning of one of our finest officers, Officer David Romrell." We mourn with and for the dear family of the family. Agent Romrell, and we pray that they can find peace at the heart of this rift "Governor Gary Herbert tweeted. "Agent Romrell has been exemplary in every respect and I feel humbled for the service he has rendered to his country as a navy and for the service he has rendered to our communities. here in Utah. "

"All members of the Utah community (law enforcement officials) are deeply saddened by the tragic loss of SSLPD officer David Romrell." Our deepest condolences go to his wife, to his children, his family, and his friends, his life of service will never be forgotten Semper Fi, Marine, "tweeted the Utah road patrol.

"Romrell, God Speed ​​Officer," tweeted Utah's representative, Lee Perry, also a member of the road patrol.

"For the Romrell family and the South Salt Lake Police Department, we are so sad for your incredible loss last night.Thank you for your service agent, David Romrell," tweeted AirMed from the University of Toronto. 39; Utah.

"It's a terrible news." Our heart is broken this morning, may God bless this officer and his loved ones, and may God bless all the men and women of Blue who put their lives in danger for our safety. " added the lieutenant governor. Spencer Cox.

Even Chief Carruth posted a message on his Facebook page Sunday night.

"David, in just 11 months, you have bonded with the brother and sister of SSLPD that can never be broken, you have been taken away from us long before your time, but will always be in our hearts, we will honor you forever. You were a protector of our country and our community, you are our hero God Speed ​​~ Rest in peace Brother!

According to the court records, Saturday was the second fatal accident that Calata was involved with this year.

On March 25, Calata, driving a Jeep Grand Cherokee, burned a red light at the intersection of California Avenue and Bangerter Highway, struck another vehicle and drove. Calata and Danyelle Marie Jennings, 44, were ejected from the vehicle while he was driving. Jennings was killed.

Just prior to the accident, an officer from the Utah Department of Natural Resources had spotted the vehicle parked on the roadside, between 5800 West and 2100 South, and had stopped to find out what was going on, according to an affidavit relating to a search warrant.

The formal charges, however, had not yet been filed. Salt Lake County attorney Sim Gill said Sunday that prosecutors had first heard the case on October 24. At that time, the lawyers asked the investigators to gather additional information about the lighting cycle at the intersection and on the speed of the two vehicles involved in the accident. At that time, conflicting information needed to be clarified before charges were laid, Gill said.

Gill said his office received an email on Friday saying that the requested information had been collected. The lawyers were scheduled to meet on December 6 to consider a charge of manslaughter for Calata, he said.

The March incident came just months after Calata had another accident and left the scene, according to court records.

Calata had a long criminal history of drug-related crimes, mainly crimes. In 2005, he was allegedly convicted of possession of a stolen vehicle, a third-degree crime, according to court records.

On Sunday night, Calata's former parents posted an open letter on Facebook to Romrell's widow and called the agent Romrell hero. Manuel Lopez said that he was Calata's former brother-in-law and that Calata was "in a downward spiral" for a long time.

"After many clashes with justice and disappointment, my sister decided to leave her husband and take their two children to Texas to be safe," he wrote.

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"David Romrell is my brother in arms," ​​he continued. "I am also a Navy veteran and it hurts me to see a brother fall into such a state, and without wanting to politicize this ordeal, we want to reach out and let you know that we are with you. what Felix did, his mental illness took over and we never recovered … Your husband died as a hero!

"… We are all heartbroken and we suffer as well.If we need something from us to help you find peace, do not hesitate to contact us.Your precious baby does not deserve not to be without a father, we are very sorry for your loss. "

contributing: Sean Moody