Utah Senate honors families of 11 fallen first responders in ceremonial citation

During Thursday’s session the Utah Senate paused to honor families of first responders who lost their lives over the past year. Senators observed a moment of silence and the chamber read an official citation recognizing the service and sacrifice of those who died in the line of duty.

Senator Don Ibsen and Senator Gabriel Gibson (floor remarks referenced the group) introduced the tribute and the reading clerk presented the citation signed by President J. Stewart Adams and other legislative leaders. The citation thanked police officers, firefighters, search-and-rescue personnel and emergency medical responders for their service and offered condolences to their families.

The Senate named 11 individuals during the citation reading as those whose service was being honored: Sergeant Bill Hooser (San Joaquin Police Department); Colton Joseph Nave (former Weber Fire District firefighter and wildland firefighter; son of Battalion Chief Casey Nafe); Bridal Quay (Roy City Fire Department); Bryce Taylor (Ogden City Police Department); Roman Turner (U.S. Army Reserve and Utah Department of Corrections); Aaron White (Provo City Fire Department and part-time Mapleton City firefighter/paramedic); Sergeant Jordan Whitney (Utah State Prison); Thomas Wheldon (Central Utah Correctional Facility); Sheridan Wimmer (Utah Department of Corrections); and others listed during the reading.

Senators urged the chamber and those in the galleries to stand and recognize the families; leaders emphasized the ongoing sacrifice made by first‑responder families and expressed gratitude for their service to the state.

The citation will remain part of the session record; the ceremony was a nonlegislative recognition and no formal vote was required.