Remembering Officer Nathan Lyday
Dec 27, 2020, 5:38 PM | Updated: Dec 5, 2022, 10:48 pm
OGDEN, Utah — Ogden Police lost one of their own in the line of duty this year. It’s a tragedy some feared would be overshadowed by police protests across the nation and a worldwide pandemic hitting at the same time. But community support poured out to make sure Officer Nathan Lyday would not be forgotten.
It was May 28th when Nathan Lyday and another officer responded to a 911 call from a woman who said her husband was threatening her.
Police said John Coleman was confrontational before closing the front door and firing several gunshots through it.
“Boom, boom, boom, and then pop, pop, pop. And I looked out the window and there was a cop there and a cop there,” said a neighbor.
Several neighbors heard the commotion.
Two probation officers were there as backup as additional units were called out.
Documents filed in court say Lyday was holding a notepad at the time and didn’t get a chance to respond.
“We are grateful for Officer Lyday, for his service, his friendship, and his example,” said Chief Randy Watt with the Ogden Police Department.
The next day, crowds of people paid their respects to Lyday as his patrol car was put on display outside the Ogden Police Department.
“We will mourn for a short period, but more importantly, we will celebrate that he lived, and we will thank the God we worship that he was one of us,” said Watt.
Family members, including Lyday’s mother, were there as Chief Randy Watt paid tribute to his memory.
“People are coming down to support him, whether they knew him or not, and that means a lot,” said Nancy Lyday.
And as his body was transported, crowds showed up again to honor him and his service.
Lyday grew up in Ogden. His family said he wanted to serve the community.
“His smile, his demeanor, his silly sense of humor was always infectious,” said Nancy.
Large crowds also showed up for his funeral the following weekend.
Family members reflected on his life of service — something that many people won’t soon forget.
“In a world full of hate, be the light like Nathan,” his mother said. “I love ya son.”
“Rest easy, brother. We have the watch from here.”
