Santaquin Police Department identifies officer hit and killed by semitruck driver
May 6, 2024, 2:04 PM | Updated: Jun 28, 2024, 4:24 pm
(KSL TV)
(KSL TV)
SANTAQUIN — The Santaquin City Police Department identified the officer killed in the of line duty on Sunday as 50-year-old Sgt. Billy Dean Hooser, of Santaquin.
Police released Hooser’s name in a news conference on Monday afternoon.
Hooser was deliberately struck and killed by a semitruck driver on Sunday morning. The driver was apprehended several hours later in Vernal following an extensive manhunt.
According to the department, Hooser was a Utah native with eight years of law enforcement experience, beginning his career with the San Juan County Sheriff’s Office in New Mexico until he joined the Santaquin City Police Department in 2017. Hooser was promoted from Corporal to Sergeant in February 2024.
Hooser leaves behind a wife of 29 years, his two daughters, and one granddaughter.
KSL TV chose not to name the officer prior to the press conference out of respect for the family, who wanted the name to be released by the Santaquin Police Department on Monday.
The scene right now in Santaquin. Remembering the fallen officer. Flowers, notes and flags. @KSL5TV pic.twitter.com/PECXn51pLn
— Dan Rascon (@TVDanRascon) May 6, 2024
On Monday, police, highway patrol members, and other officials participated in a procession from the medical examiner’s office in Taylorsville to Santaquin. The procession arrived outside Brown Family Mortuary at 12:30 p.m. to crowds of people lining the streets to show their support.
In an exclusive interview with KSL TV, the brother of the officer said his brother paid the ultimate sacrifice for his service.
“Pretty heartbroken, It’s hard. We had plans this summer,” the brother said. “Everybody out there listening, if I can give them any advice it’s to hold your loved one a little tighter. Make phone calls, tell them you love them especially the ones you don’t get to see every day.”
Support poured out from agencies around the state.
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A GoFundMe* was created for Hooser’s family.
.@TVDanRascon spoke to a Spanish Fork emergency dispatcher who described Sgt. Hooser as a man who "was always kind and always willing to help." pic.twitter.com/qpIXvfUNp7
— KSL 5 TV (@KSL5TV) May 6, 2024
*KSL TV does not assure that the money deposited to the account will be applied for the benefit of the persons named as beneficiaries. If you are considering a deposit to the account, you should consult your own advisors and otherwise proceed at your own risk.
