WEST VALLEY CITY, Utah — After a week of emotional tributes and heartfelt memorials, West Valley City Police Officer Cody Brotherson was laid to rest Monday at Valley View Memorial Park in West Valley City.
"He sacrificed his life for what he believed in and what he loved," said West Valley City Police Chief Lee Russo.
Brotherson was killed early in the morning on Sunday, November 6th. He was hit by a stolen car while laying out spike strips.
"On that morning, Cody was trying to protect a community. He was fighting crime. He was trying to arrest offenders. And when that moment came, he stood strong, he didn't waiver, he didn't run away," said Russo.
His sacrifice resonated across the country.
"It doesn't matter what patch we have on our shoulder, we're all the same, brothers and sisters through and through," said Officer Thomas Podd from the NYPD.
Sue Hilborn of West Valley City was one of the many residents who stood alongside the road as the funeral procession for Officer Brotherson passed by.
"I wanted to let them know they mean a lot to me," Hilborn said. With full-sized American flag and pole in hand, Hillborn stood alongside the road for the funeral procession in West Valley for over an hour.
"My legs do hurt," Hilborn added, but she hardly showed it. Hilborn stood motionless with the flag raised while the procession rolled by. Even after the last car passed, Hilborn stood with the flag raised for another ten minutes while firefighter teams took down a giant American Flag that hung across 4100 S.
"Today, I came out partly for them and their families," Hilborn said of West Valley's police officers. "But mostly, I came out because I’m a new resident in this community, and I want to participate in this community and this country."
The "Last Call" is a tradition at law enforcement funerals. It is the last time dispatch calls for an officer.
"Officer 444, we now show you 10-42 for the last time. It's been a pleasure and a blessing," said a dispatcher as part of Officer Brotherson's last call.
10-42 is code for off duty. Officer Cody Brotherson was 25 years old. A final goodbye for him was held at the Valley View Memorial Park,
