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Utah Legislature honors three officers killed in the line of duty; chamber observes moment of silence
Summary
The Senate read official citations honoring Officer Joshua Yazzie, Deputy Brian Harris and Sergeant Franco Aguilar for line‑of‑duty deaths, then observed a minute of silence for the families present in the gallery.
The Utah State Senate paused its legislative business Wednesday to honor three law‑enforcement officers who died in separate line‑of‑duty incidents.
Senators Van Tassel, Okerlund and others introduced family members and asked the chamber to receive an official citation recognizing the service and sacrifice of Sergeant Franco Aguilar (Sevier County Sheriff’s Office), Deputy Brian Harris (King County) and Officer Joshua Yazzie (Bureau of Indian Affairs). The reading clerk read the citation in full, noting details of the incidents and survivors.
"Now therefore be it known that the legislature of the state of Utah expresses its heartfelt sympathy to the families of Officer Joshua Yazzie, Officer Brian Harris, and Officer Franco Aguilar," the reading clerk said while reading the official citation. The chamber then rose for a minute of silence.
Why it matters: The citations formally record the legislature’s recognition of line‑of‑duty deaths and give public acknowledgment to the officers’ families. The reading included specifics about the incidents and surviving family members and was marked as a solemn and bipartisan moment on the Senate floor.
Next steps: The citations will be part of the legislative record; no legislative action was taken as part of the commemoration.
