Washington County Sheriff’s sergeant about to take flight of a lifetime

HURRICANE, UTAH – For as dangerous as the job often is, there’s nothing Aaron Thompson would rather do.

“I love my job. I really enjoy what I do,” he said.

Thompson knew he was going to get into law enforcement at an early age.

“When I took those silly high school tests that told you what you wanted to do in life, it was either being a firefighter or a policeman. And luckily I chose the right path,” he said with a laugh.

However, before becoming a sergeant with the Washington County Sheriff’s Office, Thompson worked in construction in the St. George area.

It wasn’t until he was in his 30’s when he started thinking about those high school aptitude tests.

“I waited until I was a little older to get into this profession,” said Thompson. “It takes maturity in this job. There’s so many aspects of it that you’ve got to have a little maturity to make the right decisions.”

It was a decision at a frozen pond in New Harmony on Christmas Day in 2017 that left no doubt that he takes his job seriously.

“It was me or nobody. That kid would not have made it if I didn’t act right then,” said Thompson.

Without hesitation, Thompson punched his way through the ice, went underwater, and rescued an 8-year old boy who had fallen through.

Now, that boy is alive and doing well because of Thompson’s heroic actions.

He still keeps in touch with the family.

“I had my birthday last week and they invited me up for dinner,” said Thompson. “He and I, as well as the rest of the family, we have become real good friends.”

In his office, there are awards for his actions and awards from lives he helped save before that day, like a suicidal woman he talked to for more than an hour.

Because of his accomplishments, he was chosen by the military to take part in a hometown hero flight, in a fighter jet, at Hill Air Force Base on Friday, the day before the big Warriors Over The Wasatch air show.

“I mean, it’s a real honor to be selected by them,” he said.

Thompson even joked he had to lose some weight to make the flight.

“I had to do it. They had a weight limit, and they said it’s a hard line, you can’t be over this or you can’t do it. I’m like, I’ll be under that,” he said with a laugh.

It’s nothing compared to the weight on his shoulders every day just for being a law enforcement officer.

However, he is happy working in the area where he grew up, knowing he’s helping his friends and his neighbors.

“This is definitely where I’m supposed to be,” he said. “There’s no question about it.”