Undercover West Valley City officer cleared in shooting

SALT LAKE CITY — Prosecutors say an undercover West Valley City police officer was justified in the fatal shooting of a man who hit his partner with his car following an alleged drug buy.

Police say three undercover officers were in a Burger King parking lot on Jan. 27 when they saw 39-year-old Travis Johnson buy heroin from someone.

After the officers approached Johnson's car, he backed it up. When an officer put his hands on the car hood to stop him, Johnson accelerated, running over the officer's foot and knocking him down.

Fearing Johnson would run over the officer, his partner shot and killed Johnson.

Salt Lake County District Attorney Lohra Miller says Johnson's willingness to hit police with his car justified the officer's belief that deadly force was necessary.