From Deseret News archives:
Wasatch deputy dies during Provo traffic stop
"If you had a question about something, Scott would help you, and he'd make you feel like a million bucks afterward," Irvine said of his friend and colleague, former UHP trooper and current Wasatch County Sheriff's Sgt. Scott Hathcock, who collapsed and died Thursday morning during a routine traffic stop in Provo Canyon.
Hathcock, 48, of Heber City, was declared dead at the scene after he pulled a car over for speeding along U.S. 189.
While standing outside the car waiting for the driver to pull out paperwork, Hathcock collapsed. The driver and a passer-by tried CPR until emergency crews arrived, but they couldn't revive him, said Summit County sheriff's deputy Josh Wall.
Officials still don't know what caused the collapse.
Friend and former fellow deputy Jed Olsen said he knew of no health problems other than a heart murmur Hathcock was diagnosed with 13 years ago, which had never been a problem.
He remembers Hathcock as a good father who loved his family and as a hard-working but humorous officer.
Hathcock is the first officer the Wasatch County Sheriff's Office has lost in the line of duty in 18 years, when they lost a deputy fighting a fire, Wall said.
"Some people that know their stuff, they'll talk down to you, make you feel like you're very little, but not with Scott," Irvine said. "He made you feel really good."
Although Hathcock had every right to be cocky about his wealth of knowledge, he never was, friends and colleagues all said.
Instead, he used his insight to help and instruct thousands of officers about correctly using the Intoxilyzer a device used to check alcohol levels of suspected intoxicated drivers.
He also created PowerPoint presentations, officer training videos and testified in court all while keeping a positive attitude and a subtle sense of humor.
"He's just one of those great guys," Irvine said. "You were better because you knew him."
Lt. Steve Winward with the UHP called Hathcock one of the best officers he's ever trained.
"He was phenomenal," Winward said. "He had quite a good rapport with many officers throughout the entire state. He's the type of person that when he taught the class, officers were at the edge of their seat the entire time."
Recent comments
My husband is a police officer and we lost one of our own last...
Semalee Bilbrey | Aug. 20, 2008 at 6:26 a.m.
MY THOUGHTS AND PRAYERS ARE WITH THE FAMILY. SCOTT WAS THE BEST OF...
J. NELSON | Aug. 15, 2008 at 9:36 p.m.
May he rest in peace and my prayers and thoughts are with his family.
H. Green | Aug. 15, 2008 at 2:19 p.m.
- NFL: Week 12 recap 12:50 a.m.
- '12 Days' bill would top $87K 12:35 a.m.
- Study finds autism therapy works 12:35 a.m.
- Boy shot following traffic stop 12:35 a.m.
- Sports on the air 12:24 a.m.
- Herbert builds his team of rivals 12:21 a.m.
- Corroon a step closer to governor 12:21 a.m.
- Monday on TV 12:18 a.m.
- Editorial: East, West and religion 12:17 a.m.
- A deficit commission? 12:17 a.m.
- Hall mouths off about hate of Utah
- BYU is champion of the state
- Cougars beat Utes in overtime
- Credit Coug defense for win
- Marriage definitions vary widely
- Field goals, penalties doomed Utes
- Cougar defense rose to occasion
- Banged up Jazz get best of Blazers
- Jones' joy for life remembered
- Fantasy is reality for BYU professor
- Hall mouths off about hate of Utah
869 - Cougars beat Utes in overtime
473 - Max Hall issues apology
145 - BYU is champion of the state
137 - Man trapped in Nutty Putty cave dies
117 - Cave to be sealed with body inside
116 - Rivalry Week is highly profane
90 - Hall's legacy measured today
79 - Hall's pain reflects self-betrayal
68 - Utes fall to Seattle U. at home
65
I wanted to tell them not to go. I dropped subtle hints. "My money is on...
When I was a kid, I worshipped my grandpa. He was undoubtedly my hero....
I find it interesting that many of the same people who say that we can't...
None of these teams is going to be easy. They all have fine football...
Max, no apology was necessary, but the apology was polically correct. If...
Very good piece of writing, Amy. You summarized what many of us have been...
How is a top 25 finish make Utah a top twenty team? I think what the poster...
90% of the BYU & Utah fans have class, and Hall knows it. If you don't...
This might be my favorite article I've ever read from the Deseret News. Kudos.
Thank you for not giving up and don't give up now brother and sister...
Dr. Lois Lee's work with children who are victims of child sexual...
Look at the preview for Pixar's "Up". The whole move is summarized in...



