South Salt Lake Officer Killed After Being Struck By Fleeing Car
Nov 25, 2018, 9:31 AM | Updated: 9:43 am
SOUTH SALT LAKE, Utah – An officer from the South Salt Lake Police Department and a burglary suspect were both killed when police tried to stop a fleeing car Saturday evening.
South Salt Lake Police Chief Jack Carruth said police got called to a burglary at 3575 South West Temple around 5:30 Saturday evening. He said two officers responded and saw a car pulling away.
He said the officers got out of their car and tried to stop the fleeing vehicle. Carruth said the car hit Officer David Romrell as it sped away. He said the other officer opened fire on the car, killing the driver.
Carruth said Romrell was rushed to Intermountain Medical Center for emergency surgery, but he died around 10:00 Saturday evening. Hundreds of police officers from across the Salt Lake Valley responded to the hospital and joined a procession to take Romrell’s body to the medical examiner’s office.
Police will remain with his body until his funeral. Romrell was 31 years old and had been with the South Salt Lake Police Department for 11 months. Before joining the department, Carruth said Romrell had been a member of the United States Marines. Romrell had a wife and baby.
Police have not identified the driver who was shot and killed. A spokesperson said police dogs tracked the other person in the vehicle that fled the scene and that person was taken into custody.
An outside agency will review the shooting, as is standard protocol. South Salt Lake Police will also do an internal review of what happened Saturday evening.
#FBI Salt Lake City sends our deepest condolences to SSLPD and the family and friends of Officer David Romrell. pic.twitter.com/1wjObd503B
— FBI Salt Lake City (@FBISaltLakeCity) November 25, 2018
Our thoughts and prayers are with the South SL City PD and the family, colleagues, and friends of Officer David Romrell today. #BackTheBlue
— US Attorney Utah (@DUTnews) November 25, 2018
Our sincere condolences to the South Salt Lake Police Department and the family of Officer Romrell. May you find peace and comfort during this difficult time. Officer Romrell’s service will never be forgotten. pic.twitter.com/xmAvwwPPjR
— Clearfield PD, Utah (@ClearfieldPD) November 25, 2018
All of us in the Utah LEO community have heavy hearts today with the tragic loss of SSLPD Officer David Romrell. Our deepest condolences go out to his wife, child, family and friends. His life of service will never be forgotten. Semper Fi, Marine.
— Utah Highway Patrol (@UTHighwayPatrol) November 25, 2018
