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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 Police Service
A policeman from south Salt Lake died Saturday night after being hit by a vehicle during a clash with two burglars, one of whom was shot dead by police, investigators said.
"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. His name was not published Sunday.
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 child. 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.
While the news of Romrell's death was spreading, tributes from other law enforcement agencies and state officials filled social media Sunday morning.
"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.
"God's Speed Romrell officer," said on Twitter the state 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.
Qiling Wang, Deseret News
John Reed speaks with the media at the South Salt Lake City Police Department in Salt Lake City on Sunday, November 25, 2018.
"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.
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.
Salt Lake County Prison
Felix Anthony Calata, 32, of West Valley City, was shot dead by police Saturday night as part of a burglary investigation. Calata hit the 31-year-old South Salt Lake officer, David Romrell, with his car. Romrell died of his injuries.
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.
contributing: Sean Moody
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