Utah Senate honors two Highway Patrol troopers for life‑saving actions

The Utah State Senate on Feb. 14 read official legislative citations recognizing two Utah Highway Patrol troopers for actions that lawmakers said prevented fatalities.

Senate staff read an official citation honoring Trooper Cameron Carter for stopping a wrong‑way vehicle on I‑15 in Utah County and taking actions that, according to the citation, prevented serious injuries or fatalities. The citation says the wrong‑way driver was arrested for driving under the influence. The Senate also read a citation honoring Trooper Travis Williams for entering icy water at a Tooele County interchange on Feb. 5 and assisting three trapped occupants of a minivan to safety.

Senator John Valentine, who introduced the time‑certain recognition, called the troopers “the epitome of what we have as our troopers in the Highway Patrol” and invited the body to join in honoring them. Senator Okerlund, who identified himself as an eyewitness to the August wrong‑way incident, described the danger and said he had “nothing but admiration for all you do.” Senator Bramble and others praised the troopers and noted the personal risk members of the Highway Patrol face in routine duties.

Families of the troopers were asked to stand and were presented with the citations on the Senate floor. The official citation language read into the record described Carter’s actions during an August wrong‑way vehicle event and Williams’ rescue of three women from an icy pond, and it concluded that the Legislature “honors and expresses deep and heartfelt gratitude” to each trooper.

The Senate’s recognition was ceremonial; no policy action followed from the citations. The body returned to its other business after presenting the honors and tributes.