Fallen Millard County sheriff's deputy Fox praised for her service, compassion

DELTA — Mike Clark met Millard County sheriff's deputy Josie Greathouse Fox on what he describes as "the worst day of my life."

It was about five years ago and Clark — who had "a well-rehearsed drinking problem" — was drunk, armed and suicidal. Fox, still a deputy in training at the time, was one of the officers called to Clark's home west of Delta to deal with the incident.

"She never forgot that I was a human being," Clark said Tuesday. "She befriended me on the way (to jail). She kept in mind … that she didn't have to treat me like a lower life form.

"It could have turned out a lot different when they came to my house," said Clark, who credits Fox with "saving" his life.

"My life was quite affected by her, in a good way. Since that night, I don't drink."

Clark said news of the deputy's death Tuesday sickened him.

"I feel sorry for her family and her dad," he said. "It just seems senseless."

Fox, 37, was shot and killed about 1 a.m. during a traffic stop on U.S. 50. Authorities were still trying late Tuesday to locate Roberto Miramontes Roman, the man charged with killing Fox.

About 300 people, including Fox's teenage daughter, turned out Tuesday night for a candlelight vigil in Delta City Park. They shed tears and shared stories about the slain deputy. Many responded when asked to raise their candles if Fox had ever arrested them.

"Thank you for saving my life. Thank you for putting those silver cuffs on my wrists," read a printed card set up below a wreath circling Fox's photo.

Steve Alexander, a retired Salt Lake County sheriff's lieutenant who has lived in Delta since 2003, told the Deseret News earlier in the day that Fox's goal was "to help others and to be a stalwart in this community."

"She loved this community and she wanted to serve this area," Alexander said. "She served it well, and she served it with her life."

Alexander called Fox "a treasure for law enforcement" who was compassionate, gracious and talkative. She never held a grudge, he said.

"Sometimes, coming from law enforcement myself, you become callous. You put up kind of a wall in front of you," Alexander said. "Josie wasn't that way. She was there to help you, and she sincerely followed through with her help."