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Ogden dedicates public safety building in Francom’s honor

Posted at 6:25 PM, Jan 04, 2013
and last updated 2013-01-04 21:41:04-05

OGDEN, Utah - It's been one year since Ogden Police Officer Jared Francom was killed during a drug bust, and on Friday, the city of Ogden dedicated its public safety building in his honor.

On Jan. 4, 2012, Francom and five other members of the Weber-Morgan Narcotics Task Force were serving a drug warrant at the Ogden home of Matthew David Stewart. 

When they entered the home, Stewart allegedly opened fire, killing Francom and injuring the other officers.

Francom's colleagues and the community named their public safety building the Francom Public Safety center to honor his life and create a lasting legacy of his service.

A year later, Officer Francom and his legacy still linger in his officers' minds and now they'll be able to remember his sacrifice every time they come to work.

"It's a year later it brings back a lot of memories. A lot of sad memories," said Ogden Police Chief Mike Ashment.

Erin Francom, Jared's wife, spoke publicly for the first time since his death. She says the police department has become a second home to her children.

"We come here all the time. We come here to see friends and see the chief. The girls like to come back and see all off his co-workers," she said.

Stewart is awaiting trail on multiple charges, including aggravated murder. He claims he was ambushed by police - who failed to identify themselves - and he was just protecting himself and his property.