Santaquin officer stabbed multiple times in Genola, standoff ensues

GENOLA, Utah County — A man was arrested in Utah County after police say he stabbed an officer several times, leading to an hours-long standoff.

A probable cause statement for the incident named 23-year-old Timothy Olesen, and said police were dispatched after a disagreement between him and his father in Genola on Thursday. When police arrived, Olesen’s father said nothing physical happened between them.

While on the scene, police were informed that Olesen had called 911 and told dispatch he cut himself and “wasn’t going to make it,” the statement said. That’s when police learned that Olesen was in an apartment next to his father’s home. When police went to make contact, the situation turned violent.

“(Olesen) jumped out of the apartment door holding a blue steak knife with a pointed end, and a sharpened edge on the five-inch blade … and stabbed my assisting officer in the chest approximately three times,” the statement said.

Cody Tipler with the Santaquin Police Department said they believe the trauma plate the officer was wearing inside his vest saved his life.

“We believe that’s what stopped the blade from piercing his chest,” Tipler said. “We’re just glad that he’s okay and that he’s back with his family.”

“The officer described the force as being punched by an adult in the chest at least three times,” the statement said.

The officers retreated out of the building to wait for backup. While backing down a staircase, Olesen came out of the apartment again and threw the knife, hitting an officer, the statement said.

At that time, officers used “less lethal force” against the man, but he went back into his apartment. What followed was an hours-long standoff with police.

“Due to (Olesen) being alone, no exigent circumstances were observed to approach (him) again risking the high probability of another officer being assaulted or possibly killed,” the statement said.

A Utah Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) Team was on its way to assist in the standoff, but police on scene were eventually able to make verbal contact with Olesen, the statement said. Eventually, Olesen came out of the building with his hands raised. According to the document, police saw he had lacerations on his arms and neck.

Olesen was taken to the hospital, where he was released and transported to jail. He’s accused of aggravated attempted murder, assaulting a police officer, possessing drugs with intent to distribute, and manufacturing a controlled substance in addition to misdemeanor charges.

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Contributing: Emma Benson, KSL TV