U. S. Attorney Huber Statement On Officer Cody Brotherson
SALT LAKE CITY-- In September, I had the honor of attending a West Valley City Council meeting to recognize Officer Cody Brotherson and his colleagues for their outstanding police work in swiftly and safely capturing an armed and dangerous gang member. When I learned Sunday of Officer Brotherson’s tragic death, I remembered shaking his hand and thinking that this dedicated young man had all the qualities to be a hero in his home town of West Valley City. And he was.
In the early hours of Sunday morning, Officer Brotherson was once again protecting our community by laying tire spikes to stop a stolen car when he was struck and killed by the fleeing suspects. There is no greater sacrifice a person can make than to give his own life to keep our community safe.
While the rest of us are sleeping, men and women in law enforcement are on the streets risking their lives. We ask our law enforcement officers to work long hours with little pay, to subject themselves to intense public scrutiny, and to put themselves in harm’s way. We ask officers and their families to sacrifice their own safety and security for our wellbeing. It is too much to ask of any citizen, yet these brave men and women do it every single day.
Law enforcement professionals like Officer Brotherson are not in it for the accolades, and they rarely get them. I consider it a great honor to have had the opportunity to meet Officer Brotherson and to present him with an award for his service to our community. So young and so heroic, Officer Brotherson made a huge impact for the good of our community before his premature departure. My thoughts and prayers are with Officer Brotherson’s family and friends, and with my dear colleagues at the West Valley City Police Department, during this very difficult time.
Source: U.S. Department of Justice, Office of the United States Attorneys
