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SOUTH SALT LAKE, Utah – Kevin Wyatt, a retired policeman from the Cottonwood Heights Police Department, was not only a mentor of South Salt Lake Police Officer David Romrell, but also a friend.
"He went home, followed his dream and died for his community," Wyatt said.
Romrell was killed while he was responding to a robbery when a suspect, identified by police as Felix Calata, drove his car to Romrell.
Wyatt heard that Romrell was responding to the burglary and sent him a text message asking him if he was okay.
When Wyatt never heard from him, he rushed to the hospital, finding himself at Romrell's bedside.
"We all know that day could come," Wyatt said. "But when it comes, it does not make things easier."
Romrell leaves behind his wife and 4 month old baby. Wyatt said Romrell had spent all of his adult life serving his country and his community.
"His superiors said yesterday that he was a bright star, their rising," Wyatt said. "He would give you the shirt on his back. It would do anything for anyone.
Wyatt said Romrell had surprised him by inviting him to wear his new police badge when he was sworn in for the South Salt Lake Police in January 2018.
"You know it's normally a mother or a father who does that and that was a great honor," Wyatt said.
"Live the Dream," are the words that Romrell posted when he recounted that he had been sworn in as an officer after serving in the Marines.
"11 months is not long to be an officer," Wyatt said. "But he had a huge impact on his community."
Wyatt said Romrell was surrounded by his brother in blue on the night of his assassination.
"See fifty policemen crying," Wyatt said. "It's hard to watch."
Dear loved ones have set up a GoFundMe for Romrell. It can be found here.
Funeral arrangements have not been announced yet.
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