Thousands Attend Funeral Held for Brigham City Assistant Police Chief

BRIGHAM CITY, Utah – It’s difficult to know what to say when a loved one dies unexpectedly.

Especially someone like Dennis Vincent.

“It’s tough. It’s really hard. His humor was unmatched and his love for the community was unmatched as well,” said Tyler Vincent, who is Dennis’ brother.

Dennis Vincent’s funeral was held in Brigham City Saturday afternoon.

Thousands of people came to the church building or lined the streets during his procession to say goodbye.

Vincent was the assistant police chief for the Brigham City Police Department.

It’s a job he has always wanted to do.

“He got a Dick Tracy uniform one year for Christmas when he was young,” said Tyler Vincent. “It had a little notebook and a badge and a gun. He would get on his bike and he would run up and down the street and if somebody crossed across the street and there was a car coming, he would go over and actually write them a little ticket and hand it to them.”

It was the beginning of a career where he always tried to do the right thing and be fair to people, as well as tell jokes with his colleagues to make a tough job a little better.

“He was a brother to me. He was my very best friend,” said Brigham City Police Chief Mike Nelsen.

Nelson became chief four years ago and promoted Vincent to assistant chief right away.

“He always gets things done. You ask him to do it and it always gets done. And he did it with a smile on his face. He always had a smile. Always had a smile. Never, I don’t know, I’m sure, he must have got down in the dump sometimes but I never saw it,” said Chief Nelson.

Vincent was only 53 years old when he died last week from an aneurysm during his physical fitness test.

Ever since, Chief Nelson says the community has been contacting the police department to offer their condolences.

“We have had people call us and send letters and cards and the support has been tremendous,” said Chief Nelson.

Even though so many people knew Vincent, though, for those closest to him, he will always be the guy who loved being with his family.

“My brother meant the world to me. He and I grew up together. We played together throughout our youth. He and I have always been very close,” said Tyler Vincent. “We did a lot together. We hunted together, we fished together, we spent a lot of time together. It’s been really tough on the family. It’s been a real struggle.”

Vincent leaves behind a wife, four children, and three grandchildren.