Kaysville Police see outpouring of community support after officers injured

KAYSVILLE, Utah – Nearly a week after several officers with the Kaysville Police Department were injured trying to help a man who they said set himself on fire, the department is saying “thank you” for support from the community.

Last Thursday afternoon, police said 26-year-old Tyler Ivison doused himself in gasoline at a gas station and lit himself on fire. Four officers who jumped in to save him had to go to the hospital to be treated for burns and other injuries.

Sergeant Shawn McKinnon and Officer Lacy Turner were already back on the job Tuesday. Officer Cade Bradshaw was recovering at home. Officer Robert Jackson was still getting treatment in the hospital.

Ivison remains in a medically-induced coma at a hospital as well.

Since the incident, the community has sent well-wishes to the department in the form of gift baskets, homemade food, and cards.

“People started showing up to the police department with drinks and food and more carbs than you can handle,” said Detective Michael Martinez. “Coming back the following day and seeing some of the cards that people had left, it really made me smile.”

One of the cards came from 5th-grader Amara Dibb, who stopped by the police station Tuesday.

“I heard that four police officers got hurt, so I drew four police officers and I told them that they were really brave and that I appreciate them,” she said.

Amara’s card was posted on the wall in the department lobby.

Several of the officers came to the lobby to say hello, and to deliver a special gift of their own.

“Nice to meet you, Amara. I’m Sergeant Owens. This is from the police department for you,” said Sergeant Jeremy Owens, handing a Kaysville Police Department challenge coin to Amara.

“It’s a little token of, ‘Hey I really appreciate and admire what you did,'” Martinez told her.

“It’s nice to know that people are out there watching out for us just as much as we’re watching for you,” K-9 Officer Matt Thurgood said.

He introduced Amara to their K-9 police dog, Rex.

The officers said experiences like that are what makes the job worth it.

“It’s easy to feel unappreciated or maybe even sometimes despised for what you do, but seeing that there’s this innocence of the children, some of the things that they’re saying up there, really reminds you of why we do what we do,” Martinez said.

An account has been set up at America First Credit Union to help the officers through their recovery. People can deposit money to the account “Kaysville Police Injured Officers Charitable Account.”