TWIN FALLS, Idaho — The wife of a Lindon man knew something was wrong when she did not receive a text message from him Friday morning while he was working out of state.
Tracy L. Ivie, 43, of Lindon, was killed in an incident in which a police officer was also shot in the leg, the Twin Falls County Prosecutor's Office reported.
Tracy Ivie's wife, Teri, said he was in Twin Falls on business and was expected to come home Friday night. She said he made similar trips on a weekly basis and would send her a text message every morning.
"I hadn't received a text that day. I knew something was wrong," Teri Ivie said.
Clark J. Cleveland, a 27-year-old man from Spring Creek, Nev., surrendered to police after a three-hour standoff that involved a female hostage, according to police. Officers had attempted a traffic stop on U.S. 93 on Friday morning but the vehicle's driver and passenger fled, initiating a chase into Twin Falls. The vehicle was involved in a collision, at which point the two suspects fled on foot. One was apprehended by police while the other ran to a nearby Hampton Inn, where he allegedly shot a police officer and fatally shot Ivie once inside.
Ivie's family issued a series of statements Sunday afternoon, expressing their gratitude for the efforts of Twin Falls and Idaho state law enforcement personnel. Kris Kristensen, Ivie's brother-in-law, said they were not able to discuss the circumstances of Ivie's death as a criminal investigation is still under way.
"We were asked if we wouldn't go into any of those details," Kristensen said.
Kristensen did say, however, that Ivie was at the "wrong place at the wrong time" and described Ivie as a man of integrity, honesty and generosity.
Tracy Ivie was employed as a crane technician, Teri Ivie said, and was regularly required to be away from his wife and seven children during the week and return on weekends.
"Tracy was an amazing father," Teri Ivie said. "He called our family every night to make sure the doors were locked, the boys were home where they were supposed to be and that we were safe.
Twin Falls County Prosecutor Grant Loebs said Cleveland is in custody in Twin Falls County on charges of aggravated battery of a law enforcement officer with a weapons enhancement, felony eluding a police officer and a warrant of detention for a probation violation for DUI. He's being held on $2 million bond.
Cleveland faces other potential charges. Police say Cleveland is the only person who fired a weapon.
Jim Trent, the family's stake president for the LDS church, said that a fund has set up with Wells Fargo in Tracy Ivie's name for those interested in assisting the family. He also said that the family has asked that their privacy be respected.
Contributing: Ladd Brubaker
Email: benwood@desnews.com