A Utah police officer was identified after he was killed early Sunday when the driver of a truck allegedly fled a traffic stop and struck the officer on a highway.
Santaquin Police Sgt. Bill Hooser, 50, was remembered as a “top officer” and hero as his colleagues and family spoke during an emotional news conference Monday.
“Just on a personal note, I know everyone says this when an officer gets killed,” said Santaquin Police Chief Rod Hurst, “but Sergeant Hooser was one of those guys who really pulled it together.”
Hooser is survived by his wife of 29 years, two daughters and a granddaughter.
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Santaquin Police Sgt. Bill Hooser is survived by his wife of 29 years, two daughters and a granddaughter. Hooser began his law enforcement career eight years ago and was promoted to sergeant earlier this year. (Santaquin Police Department / Help A Hero)
Hooser's brother, Michael, said the family was devastated and thanked the community for showing love and support.
“Nothing could ever make up for the loss we felt,” Michael said. “We take comfort in knowing that Bill died a hero, doing the work he loved and serving the people he loved.”
Michael said his brother began his career in law enforcement later in life, starting as an unpaid volunteer. Hurst said Hooser first joined the San Juan County Sheriff's Office in New Mexico eight years ago before returning to his native Utah and joining the Santaquin Police Department.
Michael Aaron Jayne, 41, was arrested in connection with the fatal traffic stop after authorities said he led officers on a brief chase in a stolen pickup truck near Vernal, Utah. (Utah Department of Public Safety)
Hooser died Sunday while helping a Utah Highway Patrol trooper conduct a traffic stop on a large truck along Interstate 15 after receiving a 911 call reporting that a person was on top of the back of a semitrailer.
The driver of the truck fled the traffic stop, made an abrupt U-turn and intentionally struck Hooser, Hooser's vehicle and a UHP patrol car, Spanish Fork Police Lt. Cory Slaymaker said. Hooser died at the scene.
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Police identified the truck driver as 41-year-old Michael Aaron Jayne.
Slaymaker said Jayne fled on foot to a nearby store, where he stole another truck. The truck was recovered in Mona, Utah, where the suspect was believed to have stolen a Ford pickup truck. Jayne allegedly drove the stolen truck to Mt. Pleasant, where he abandoned the vehicle and stole another Ford F150 truck.
Jayne crashed a stolen pickup truck, pictured above, before her arrest, police said. Jayne allegedly stole several vehicles after authorities say he struck and killed a police officer with a truck during a traffic stop early Sunday morning. (FOX13 Salt Lake City KSTU)
Jayne was later found near Vernal, about 100 miles from where the fatal traffic stop occurred, driving the stolen pickup truck, police said. After a brief chase, police said Jayne crashed the stolen truck and was taken into custody.
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Police said the investigation is ongoing.
