WATCH: Santaquin Police give update on fallen officer
UPDATE, 2:02 p.m.: Sergeant Billy Dean Hooser, 50, of Santaquin, has been identified as the officer killed in the line of duty on Sunday.
Hooser was a Utah native with eight years of law enforcement experience, Santaquin Police said.
He began his law enforcement career with the San Juan County Sheriff’s Office in New Mexico and joined the Santaquin City Police Department in 2017. In February 2024, he was promoted from Corporal to Sergeant.
He is survived by his spouse of 29 years, two daughters, and one granddaughter.
“He was a top-notch officer,” Santaquin Police said.
Billy’s younger brother, Mike Hooser, said Billy started his law enforcement journey as an unpaid volunteer.
“He started that late in life,” Mike Hooser said. “So it was a decision that he made, something that he wanted to do, and was something that he loved to do.”
Mike Hooser said the family takes solace knowing that Billy died a hero — doing the job that he loved, and serving people that he loved.
Gov. Cox has ordered all U.S. and Utah flags to be flown at half-staff on all state facilities in recognition of the passing of Hooser beginning Monday, May 6, until sunset on the day of internment.
The governor’s office will send a notice indicating when flags may be returned to full-staff position.
ORIGINAL STORY: SANTAQUIN, Utah (ABC4) — A procession for a fallen Santaquin Police sergeant will be held this morning starting at 10 a.m., and it will be followed by a news conference with the department starting at noon.
ABC4.com will stream the event in its entirety live in the video player above.
Fallen Santaquin officer honored with procession, memorial
The sergeant was struck and killed by a semi on Interstate 15 Sunday morning. Suspect Michael Aaron Jayne, 41, was taken into custody later in the morning.
Shortly before 6 a.m. Sunday morning, police received a 911 call regarding a person standing on the back of a semi-trailer that was heading northbound on I-15 in Santaquin.
At around 6:30 a.m., police conducted a traffic stop on the semi-truck driver, identified as Michael Aaron Jayne. Jayne initially fled the scene, but made a U-turn and hit a Santaquin Police officer, killing him.
Jayne also hit the officer’s vehicle, as well as a UHP trooper’s vehicle before fleeing on foot. Jayne continued to steal multiple cars before being taken into custody in Vernal.
For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to ABC4 Utah.
