Utah Chiefs of Police Association Mourns Passing of Sgt. Bill Hooser in Life of Duty Death

OGDEN — The Utah Chiefs of Police Association announces with heavy hearts the occupational line of duty death of Sgt. Bill Hooser of the Santaquin City Police Department.

On May 5, Sgt. Hooser was struck and killed by a tractor-trailer whose operator was fleeing a traffic stop on Interstate 15 near mile marker 244 in Santaquin.

Sgt. Hooser and a Utah Highway Patrol trooper initiated the stop upon receiving reports of a person standing on the back of a trailer. The tractor-trailer driver fled and reversed lanes, striking both patrol vehicles. Sgt. Hooser was killed instantly. The driver was arrested several hours later following a pursuit.

Sgt. Hooser entered law enforcement with the San Juan County Sheriff’s Office in New Mexico and joined Santaquin City Police Department in 2017. Bill was promoted from Corporal to Sergeant in February. He is survived by his spouse of 29 years, two daughters, and one granddaughter. 

His passing is the first line of duty death in Utah since 2020, when Ogden Officer Nate Lyday was shot and killed investigating a domestic disturbance call.

“We, as an organization, are devastated by the loss of a valued member of law enforcement who meant so much to his community. We share in the grief of his family and those who loved him,” said Brian Gwilliam, UCOPA President and Chief of the Lone Peak Police Department. “His death is another reminder about the occupational dangers sworn officers face across Utah in their efforts to keep their communities safe.”

A public visitation will be held on Sunday, May 12, from 4-8 p.m. at Apple Valley Elementary School, 105 East 770 North, Santaquin. Funeral services will be held on Monday, May 13, at 10 a.m. at the UCCU Events Center, Utah Valley University, 800 West University Parkway, Orem. The public is invited.

Burial will follow in Santaquin City Cemetery, 300 South 100 East.