A Utah police officer is hailed a hero after he died trying to conduct a traffic stop on a semi-truck early Sunday.
Santaquin Police Sgt. Bill Hooser, 50, was helping a Utah Highway Patrol trooper conducting the traffic stop on Interstate 15 when the driver intentionally made a sudden U-turn and crashed into them.
Hooser died at the scene. The suspect, later identified as 41-year-old Michael Aaron Jayne, was arrested after stealing two pick-up trucks and crashing into a ditch.
Santaquin Police Chief Rod Hurst described the fallen officer as a “top-notch” cop and a hero during an emotional press conference Monday.
“Just on a personal note, I know everybody says this when an officer gets killed. But Sgt. Hooser was one of those guys that was really squared away,” Hurst said.
Hooser leaves behind his wife of 29 years, two daughters, and a granddaughter.
“Nothing could ever make up for the loss we feel. We take comfort in knowing Bill died a hero, doing the job he loved, serving people he loved,” Hooser’s brother Michael said.
