Legislature pauses to honor police officers

The Utah Legislature Friday put its regular duties on hold to honor the five police officers who helped put an end to the bloodshed Monday at Trolley Square.

In the Senate, the officers were called "hometown heroes."

Ogden police officer Ken Hammond was singled out first by the Senate for his efforts while off duty and out for an early Valentine's Day dinner with his wife, Sarita, at the time of the shooting.

Senate clerk Leslie Mclean read an "official citation" from the Legislature. The document recounts the events at Trolley Square that ended with 18-year-old Sulejman Talovic shot and killed by police. In the matter of a few minutes, however, Talovic had already taken the lives of five people.

Hammond was the first officer to engage Talovic in gunfire, a move that is credited with slowing down the gunman until Salt Lake City police arrived.

"Officer Hammond performed these selfless acts, knowing that he was putting his life in imminent danger," Mclean read aloud. "He acted quickly and did not hesitate to move into action. His courageous deeds are clearly distinguished and are a credit to himself, his profession and the Ogden City Police Department. He is a true hero."

The citation points out that during Hammond's career, he has received 20 "Excellent Work" awards and has been employee of the month.

A second citation was presented to Salt Lake City police officers Andrew Oblad, Joshua Scharman, Dustin Marshall and Brett Olsen.

"They performed their duties professionally and with the utmost care and concern for all impacted by the evening's events," an emotional Mclean read from the citation. Many people's lives, she read, will never be the same.

Senate President John Valentine, R-Orem, read aloud the names of each shooting victim.

"Thank you, officers, that not more people were involved in this tragic event," Valentine said.

Ogden's police chief, Sen. Jon Greiner, R-Ogden, presented Hammond a Medal of Honor for his "courageous acts of Monday night." Hammond received a standing ovation from a packed Senate floor and gallery.

"Over the last few days things have happened to me that I would never expect in a million years," Hammond said into a microphone. "I don't have the right words to say. All I can say is, thank you very much for the support that I've been given by the Salt Lake City Police Department.