HCR4 » Resolution honors law enforcement’s courage, sacrifices.

THE SALT LAKE TRIBUNE

With tears and a parade of solemn thanks-giving, Utah legislators Wednesday honored the six officers who were shot in an Ogden drug raid last month.

Both houses of the Legislature unanimously passed HCR4 to honor Ogden officer Jared Daniel Francom who was killed and five others who were wounded: Ogden Officers Michael Rounkles, Kasey Burrell and Shawn Grogan; Weber County Sheriff’s Sgt. Nate Hutchinson; and Roy Officer Jason Vanderwarf.

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"All give some and some give all, and Jared gave all," said a tearful Rep. Lee Perry, R-Perry, who is a Utah Highway Patrol lieutenant, as Francom’s family listened on the House floor — along with a dozen or so officers from Ogden.

"I hope this shows to the law enforcement community that the people of Utah do care," said Rep. Richard Greenwood, R-Roy, a former head of the Highway Patrol.

House Majority Leader Brad Dee, R-Ogden, the sponsor of the resolution, said the shootout showed that "risk is a constant companion" for law officers who may be called on at any time "to step between good and evil to protect your life and mine, often at the risk of their own lives."

Dee, who presented Francom’s family with a state flag, said he is a hero and will not be forgotten. He said Francom and others who sacrifice "will always be part of us."

Senate Majority Leader Scott Jenkins, R-Plain City, praised the service of the officers.

"They train for these things and hope that day will never come when they have to pull a weapon out and start shooting," Jenkins said, "but this was almost beyond belief — the buzz saw these guys walked into that day."

The resolution also commends the "remarkable courage and honor displayed by the men and women in law enforcement and the risks they take to keep their communities safe."

Lee Davidson and Robert Gehrke