SALT LAKE CITY (ABC 4 News) - What we're about to tell you may make the hair stand up on the back of your neck.
Agent Jared Francom is now the 5th Utah law officer to die on January 5th
Two years ago, after an officer had been killed on January 5th, I noticed something unusual.
Three other plaques on the wall of Utah’s Law Enforcement Memorial showed officers who had also died on that day.
A 4th name would be added shortly after that.
Now, sadly, on January 5th, a fifth name is in the news.
Simply put, January 5th is the deadliest day to be a cop in Utah.
It is also the saddest.
January 5, 1951
61 years ago to the day, Sergeant Thomas Stroud was accidentally shot.
The 34 year old member of the Salt Lake Police force left behind a wife and two sons.
January 5th, 1961
51 years ago to the day, Officer Lloyd Larsen is murdered in Moab.
The 21 year old was shot to death.
He too was married and the father of a young child.
January 5th, 1974
38 years ago to the day, Lieutenant James Merrill is accidentally killed south of Smithfield.
Grieving for him was a wife and four young children.
January 4, 2010
Two years ago to day, Deputy Josie Greathouse Fox was brutally killed just east of Delta.
The loss of this 37 year old was mourned by a husband, two children and a state.
January 5, 2012
This very day.
Agent Jared Francom joined a list which has too many names and did so on the deadliest date of all.
