WEST VALLEY CITY — The West Valley City Police Department is honoring one of its fallen officers.
Four years ago Friday, Officer Cody Brotherson was run down and killed by a suspect fleeing from police.
His department is now dedicating a memorial to him.
As part of the brand new, state-of-the-art public safety building, West Valley police officials say they never want to forget those who helped lay the foundation for it and that’s why they’re placing Brotherson’s memorial right outside the main entrance.
It was early on the morning of November 6, 2016 when the young officer was laying down tire spikes, assisting fellow officers who were trying to catch criminal suspects in a stolen car, which was fleeing from police. Brotherson was hit by that car and died of his injuries.
The dedication of the lasting, fallen officer memorial means a great deal to Brotherson’s family.
“For us, when he first was killed, one of our worst fears was that Cody‘s life would be forgotten, and his sacrifice would be forgotten,” said Jenny Brotherson, Cody’s Mother. “And so for us it’s been nice that every year West Valley continues to remember Cody, there’s pictures of him in there and the fact they have this ceremony to make sure the public also gets a chance to remember Cody, it’s very important and very helpful for us.”
At the time of his death, Brotherson was just 25 years old, engaged to be married, and just beginning his law enforcement career.
His mother says the entire family talks about and thinks about Cody every day and that they will likely be visiting this memorial on a regular basis to remind the younger members of their family about the sacrifice he made.
