Deputy Brian Harris remembered as fun, but with a serious, responsible side

MOUNT CARMEL, Kane County — When Brian Harris graduated from high school, he hardly looked like a police officer — let alone someone who wanted to go into the military.

"He was 6-foot-7, 160 pounds," his brother Boyd Harris told the Deseret News Friday. "He had to gain 16 pounds to get into the Army. He lifted weights, ate a lot of ice cream."

That story of Harris eating ice cream to gain weight immediately reminded other family members about his days in high school when he convinced the lunch ladies he couldn't eat cheese, even though he drank milk.

"Brian hated cheese. He convinced the school lunch ladies he was allergic to cheese," his brother Blair Harris recalled.

The slain officer will be honored Monday at 7 p.m. in a candlelight vigil at the Kane County Courthouse in Kanab. His fellow officers lauded him Friday in an official news release from the sheriff's office: "We … are greatly saddened at the loss of our friend, our brother and our colleague," the release said. "He performed his duties and responsibilities to the very end with honor and integrity. Our hearts are heavy with this senseless and tragic loss. He will be greatly missed."

The lunchroom attendants added to the general sense of community loss. They said they would specifically make special meals without cheese just for the genial officer.

"The last week of school, he let them know he tricked them," Blair Harris said with a chuckle.

Friday, there were many stories told in and around Harris' house as family members and friends from the entire county stopped by. Brian Harris lived with his wife, Shawna, and two daughters, 13-year-old Kirsten and 10-year-old Kristina, in the small home right off the main road through town.

The Kane County sheriff's veteran shot and killed in the line of duty Thursday while pursuing a suspected burglar was remembered as a man who could be a jokester at times. But when it came to his job and dedication to his family, there was no fooling around.

"He was as fun-loving as you could find. But when the fun was over, he took his responsibilities very seriously. It was done with dedication and as close to perfection as he could manage," his brother Boyd Harris said.

An American flag with a black ribbon and red and blue balloons flew from Harris' front gate Friday. His house was easy to spot because of the numerous cars parked in front. A stream of people bringing food to the family or just stopping by to give support continued nearly all day.