The two Tremonton police officers killed in the line of duty were front and center for many at the Box Elder County Fair on Saturday, with tributes, fundraisers, remembrances and more.
A fundraiser Saturday morning spearheaded by the Utah Fraternal Order of Police brought in $260,000 in pledges for the families of the two Tremonton-Garland Police Department officials, Sgt. Lee Sorenson and officer Eric Estrada, according to preliminary figures. It was held ahead of the Box Elder Junior Livestock auction.
“It was beautiful. We had several generous donations,” from individuals and businesses, said Lynette Crockett, public information officer for Box Elder County. Estrada and Sorensen were shot and killed while responding to a domestic violence call in Tremonton on Aug. 17 and Box Elder Sheriff’s Office deputy Mike Allred was injured.
Brent Jex, a detective with the Tremonton-Garland Police Department, spoke ahead of the fundraising drive, lauding the outpouring of community support for the officers’ families and police in general. “In almost 30 years of doing this all across the state, I’ve never seen anything like it. Thank you,” he said.
Likewise, a social media post from Box Elder County offered thanks after the fundraising drive, not just for the donations but for the broader show of support. The county put the preliminary pledge total at $260,000.
“From the bottom of our hearts, thank you to everyone who gave so generously, not only with your donations, but with your love, your prayers, your thoughts and your unwavering support. In moments like these, we are reminded that Box Elder County isn’t just a place, it’s a family,” it reads.
While the Fraternal Order of Police spearheaded the fundraising effort, holding it ahead of the livestock auction, when local youth and teens show off and sell the animals they’ve been raising all year, was fitting. “They just used us as a location and we were happy to do so just for the simple fact that both Estrada and Sorensen were supporters of our youth in our community and supporters of Box Elder Junior Livestock,” Crockett said.
Chubb Munns, director of the Box Elder Junior Livestock auction, said Sorensen was particularly close to the event. “He exhibited and sold animals at our fair. His children did also,” he said. More than 800 animals were to be auctioned off Saturday.
Crockett said many people were wearing shirts demonstrating support for Sorensen and Estrada at the fair on Saturday. Allred and his police K-9 Azula, also injured in the incident last Sunday, Aug. 17, stood for the crowd at the Golden Spike Rodeo on Friday, also a Box Elder County fair event. “Deputy Allred, I hope that you can tell your community is behind you 100%. We’re glad you’re with us, buddy,” said the event announcer.
Ryan Bate is charged with two counts of aggravated murder and more in the killings of Sorensen and Estrada. The Box Elder County Attorney’s Office said it would seek the death penalty in the case.
Contributing: Jodi Reynosa