UTAH COUNTY, Utah -- Not far from the Utah County Sheriff’s Office, Sgt. Cory Wride rode down an old patrol route on Friday for the last time.
“There’s a lot of people out here that love them and really care for their family,” Local Resident Kenny Matelski said.
Flanked by his fellow officers, Wride was greeted by a community filled with gratitude.
“It’s amazing how a community will come together,” said Katrina Ellis. “I’m here to support them. They don’t know me, but in my heart I’m here for them and I know how hard it is. I can’t imagine what they’re going through, but he’s OK right now where he’s at.”
Wride, 44, was just starting his 20th year at the sheriff’s office when it suddenly ended on Thursday.
“An evil swept through our community yesterday afternoon, leaving in its path an unimaginable sorrow for our family,” said Wride’s brother-in-law, Johnny Revill.
Dedicated to a life of service, Wride had given up an administrative position with the sheriff’s office to get back out on the streets, where he loved working. On Thursday, he was driving along Highway 73 in Eagle Mountain when he was shot twice and killed after pulling over to check on a vehicle.
“We’re struggling with this,” Revill said. “We’re having a hard time. We’re asking a lot of questions of why this has to happen to Cory, to Nan, to the family. But we want you to know that as a family we know, we’re comforted in knowing, that we will see Cory again. And we’ll be together again as a family.”
Wride leaves behind a wife and five children. The family is in the process of making funeral arrangements, and a fund has been created to assist them with expenses. If you would like to make a contribution, click here.
The funeral for Wride is scheduled for Wednesday, February 5 and will be held at Utah Valley University at 11 a.m. in the UCCU Event Center. A viewing for close friends and family is scheduled for earlier in the week.
