Ogden Lights Up Blue To Honor Fallen Officer Lyday

OGDEN, Utah – Ogden residents came together to honor fallen officer Nate Lyday by lighting the city blue during a rolling candlelight vigil.

It’s been a week since Lyday, 24, was shot and killed in the line of duty.

“Emotions have been high, and it is a really sad situation on what was happening,” said Sarah Espinoza, who lives near the home where Lyday was killed. “He was coming to help protect a family.”

As the investigation on Jackson Avenue continued, flowers were placed as a reminder of his sacrifice, with flags lining the street.

“It makes me proud to see this happening in our neighborhood,” Espinoza said.

And on several porches, neighbors also lit blue lights.

Jennie Taylor, widow of fallen Major Brent Taylor, said they want Lyday’s family to know they are not alone.

Over the weekend, Taylor decided to replace a green light bulb on her porch for a blue one in honor of Lyday. The green light bulb had been in honor of her husband.

“We want Ogden to be blue tonight as blue as can be,” said Taylor. “I remember when my husband died, someone gave me a green light bulb and it has been there for 19 months.”

Taylor said the gesture meant a lot to her family.

Just an hour left before Ogden comes together for a hero’s send off… In honor of #FallenOfficer Nate Lyday community will light the city 🌃. Rolling vigil to start at 9 p.m. at @OGDEN_POLICE @KSL5TV pic.twitter.com/d1tM4CLW2p

— Garna Mejia KSL (@GarnaMejiaKSL) June 5, 2020

“That meant the world to our family, to know that they are still remembering, they are still with us,” she said. “So we’re hopeful that these blue lights can shine bright for a really long time.”

Taylor said other friends and neighbors soon decided to join in replacing their front porch light bulbs with the blue lights.

“What started as ‘hey, I want a blue light bulb’ has turned into public buildings and homes all around town lit up blue,” she said.

The idea blossomed, and soon city officials decided to use their Christmas lights to light up the vigil parade route. Lights were strung at the police station, Lindquist Field, where Lydale’s funeral will be held; McKay-Dee Hospital, Bonneville High School, which is close to the neighborhood where Lydale’s family lives; the funeral home, Christmas Village and Ogden City Hall, among various other buildings.

“I know how much that light means because it expresses the love and support of a community,” Taylor said.

The procession will go past locations important to officer Lyday and his family, to give community members the opportunity to pay their respects.

“That flip of a switch reminds us that there are men and women willing to die for us,” Taylor said.