December 2018
Troopers Making a Difference
Click on a quote below to jump to a particular message.
The following are snapshots of some of the messages we received in December 2018. In some cases, messages have been edited for clarity and to remove personal identifiable information.
- ” He was so kind, helpful, and efficient…”
- “He jumped out of the truck with a giant smile…”
- “I just want to tell him thank you…”
- “My granddaughter was scared…”
- “My life has changed forever…”
- “Both of the men were extremely cordial…”
- “We had a great discussion in our classroom…”
- ” He went above and beyond…”
- “Thank you for taking the time…”
- “He spotted a phone on the side of the freeway…”
- “Since that day he talked to me…”
December 28, 2018
Sgt. Hecker, Salt Lake County
“I just needed to leave feedback for the help I received yesterday while my vehicle was disabled on Interstate 15. I ran over a ladder that had been left in the middle lanes of traffic and it became lodged under my vehicle. I was able to make it over the the side of the road by the car pool lane. Sergeant Hecker pulled behind me to assist me. What an incredible relief. He was so kind, helpful, and efficient in helping me. I don’t think people realize how with each traffic stop these officers put their lives at risk. I just want to recognize him for his assistance. I truly appreciate all that these amazing men and women do to keep our highways safe. Thank you for allowing me to share.” – D. Bianucci
December 28, 2018
“Hey there, I just wanted to tell you a story really quick. Yesterday morning (12/27), I was on my way to work. I commute daily from Magna to The Canyons ski resort in park city. I had run out of windshield washer fluid and the roads were covered with the brine solution that they put down on the roads, making it obviously unmanageable to drive without fluid, however, I was running a bit behind, and was unable to stop. As I pulled into the chain up area at the base of Parleys, there was an officer there in his truck. I pulled over to the snow bank and began wiping the windshield, windows, etc. with snow to try to get them somewhat clean to try to make it as far as I could to stop again (“can’t be late, the fluid will have to wait”). As I parked, the officer drove his truck to my car, and my first thought honestly was, “uh oh, what did I do wrong? Am I getting a ticket of some kind?” And before I could even say hello, he jumped out of the truck with a giant smile on his face asking if I needed some wiper fluid. I politely tried to decline, and he insisted I pop the hood so that we could get some fluid in there. We had some excellent small talk, he was absolutely stellar (rare in that line of work, but understandable for the daily trauma that they are forced to endure). I was sincerely taken aback as he filled my reservoir completely emptying his jug. I really couldn’t believe it. Honestly, I was impressed. I don’t recall the officers name, but I really would like to reach out to him and thank him for his efforts. Thanks for all you guys do, especially when it isn’t always appreciated, and almost always in the face of adversity. It doesn’t go unnoticed. Hopefully this message will get back to him somehow. Let him know, it’s guys like him that make the world go round.” – J. Savage
December 25, 2018
“I was stopped by a trooper in Moab this evening on my way home from my parents’ house with my two kids. I am one of those people who choose to follow the laws of the road, simply to avoid having to wonder if I’m going to get pulled over. The trooper stated that I hadn’t come to a complete stop at the stop sign. I am still 100% sure that I did, simply because I know how I drive. He checked that we were all seat belted in and delayed me getting my kids in bed for something I believe I didn’t do. I just want to tell him thank you. Thanks for working on Christmas. Thanks for being vigilant. Thanks for watching out for me and my family; for double checking that my kids were seat belted safely; for treating me with kindness and respect; for telling a joke or two to put our vehicle at ease; and for being quick with the paperwork so my baby could get back to her comfy crib. Pulling me over for something simple (even in freezing cold rain like tonight) reassures me that when there is something that could be a danger to me or my children you won’t hesitate or second guess pulling them over either. Thanks for the net of safety you and yours provide to our community. (And I’ll double check my stopping habits.)” – A. Hunter
December 15, 2018
“I want to thank you for helping my son and his family yesterday after they had a flat tire. My granddaughter was scared and the officer who assisted them took the time to comfort her with a sticker. My family means a lot to me. Thank you all of you that go out of your way to help others. Merry Christmas to you all that put your lives on the line to help our loved ones. I couldn’t thank you enough .” -S. Davie
December 14, 2018
Trooper Neighbor, Garfield County
“I hope I am sending this in the right direction – I want to extend a message to Trooper Neighbor and whoever else this might matter to.
Trooper Neighbor pulled me over for a traffic stop in June – I had been speeding and my passenger was smoking marijuana. Today, I made the last payment towards my plea, and am reflecting on how life-changing that day in June was.
I want to thank Trooper Neighbor for his professionalism and his compassion – it’s had a profound effect on me. In ways that are difficult to describe, my life has changed forever and for the better because of the way Trooper Neighbor treated me. I had broken the laws he was rightfully compelled to fully enforce, but it did not interfere with his ability to act with genuine humanity.
After the traffic stop, I had the chance encounter with a UPS driver that knew Trooper Neighbor by his reputation for being tough. I’m sure this is accurate – there was no bend in the law during my stop – but I’m grateful that his toughness comes from a compassionate place. Thank you, Trooper Neighbor, for the lessons, the perspective, and the ridiculous and wholesome story I now have in my memory.”
December 10, 2018
Troopers Tucker and Ayer, Salt Lake County
“Good morning, I am writing to express my gratitude at the help provided to me by Troopers Tucker and Ayer on Saturday morning. I had blown out a tire on I-80 and they pulled up while I was waiting for roadside assistance and helped me remove the tire and put on the spare. Both of the men were extremely cordial and made a less-than-ideal situation much better. They are a credit to your organization.” – T. Greet
December 10, 2018
Dear Highway Patrol,
“My name is Mrs. Kjar. This is my 6th year of doing this activity with my classes. I am a teacher at Longview Elementary teaching 3rd grade. I have taught at other schools before and different ages, however it doesn’t matter to me where I’m teaching or how old the students are: everyone can write a letter of gratitude to someone. I again, have decided that you all need a letter of gratitude for what you do. We appreciate you risking your lives every day for us. We had a great discussion in our classroom about what you do and why you are important to us. I hope you will enjoy reading these letters. I have 26 amazing students. They have enjoyed doing this for you. Thank you again for all you do.” A. Kjar
December 5, 2018
Trooper Sotelo, Operation Rio Grande
“I wanted to extend my biggest thanks to one of your Troopers – I believe his name was Trooper Sotelo. He was working downtown at the safe space by Rio Grande at about 5pm this evening. My cousin suffers from mental health issues and he is finally doing better and trying to get back on his feet. Unfortunately, I cannot have him stay at my apartment and he has no job/money so with nowhere else to go I reluctantly took him down to The Road Home. It was there that we met Trooper Sotelo He went ABOVE AND BEYOND his duty to provide us with all of the information and resources my cousin could use to begin his job and housing search. He even went and found a number of helpful items for my cousin to use at the shelter. It’s an extremely difficult moment when you realize a family member has been living on the street but Trooper Sotelo made both myself and my cousin feel truly cared about. It meant so much to me and I can’t express how grateful I am for his kind actions tonight. I imagine working in these types of situations is often times a very thankless job, I just want Trooper Sotelo to know that his thoughtfulness and kindness tonight made a real impact on my family and that Salt Lake City is very lucky to have him.”
December 3, 2018
Lt. Hawkes, Sgt. Irvine, Sgt. Moreno, Sgt. Hopper, Troopers Schultz, C. Griffith, Cope, T. Griffith, Mitton and Lofton
“We would like to thank you for your kindness at Primary Children’s today! Our son was excited to have a visit from an officer and receive a special gift. He loves his tiger and UHP car! Thanks for everything you all do.”
“We came down for a pretty scary appointment today at Primary Children’s and were greeted by a few of your troopers when we came in. My 6-year-old son went from being terrified to see his doctor, to over the moon as soon as they stopped him to give him a new puppy to cuddle. I was stressed because we were in a hurry to get here safely from Ogden in the snow and forgot to bring a stuffed animal which totally threw him off. You guys saved our day and he’s now in the BEST mood! Thank you for taking the time out from all of the incredible work you already do for the community to make a difference in this way as well. He’s been sleeping with his new pup (he named him Chance) every night. He’ll remember his interaction forever. It couldn’t have been more perfect.”
December 3, 2018
Trooper Adams, Washington County
“During the last week I had used my flashlight that is on my iPhone to hook up the wiring on my trailer. I left my phone on the back bumper of my pick up. I drove off and my phone fell off on the freeway between St. George and the Hurricane exit. When my phone hit the freeway the inside of my pick up Uconnect system said the phone was no longer connected. I turned around and re-traced where I had left my phone on my bumper. I saw an object on the side of the freeway and pulled over to check it out. It was not my phone.
Trooper Adams pulled in behind me. I told him what has happened. He said it wasn’t safe for me to be pulled on the side of the freeway. He was right.
After I had headed home, he spotted an object on the side of the freeway and checked it out. It was my iPhone and my wallet that I carry my phone in. He was able to find a couple of my cards and $900 I had in my wallet. This was very amazing. Special thanks to Trooper Adams and Utah Highway Patrol.” – D. Penney
December 1, 2018
Trooper Vanderbeek, Davis County
“I just wanted to let Trooper Vanderbeek know that I very much appreciate him and his friendly reminder to do up my seat belt. He very easily could have wrote me a ticket or even a warning but he didn’t, instead he talked to me about the importance of wearing a seat belt. Had he written me a ticket I have no-one to blame but myself, however I probably would not be still wearing one now as I get in and out of the vehicle, I would have felt I paid my dues until next time. To me getting the verbal was probabaly worse than had he given a ticket. I have, since that day he talked to me, been wearing my seatbelt without fail..” – L. Reeder