Third Quarter 2022
September 9, 2022
Trooper Shumway, Sevier County
“On Friday evening, Trooper Curtis Shumway, stopped on US 50, about 20 miles from Sigurd, UT & helped us when our new travel trailer blew a wheel (the entire wheel/rim/tire blew)! He stayed on the road behind our care for over 2 1/2 hours making sure we were ok & our car/trailer not hit (the traffic on US 50 two lane highway, with NO Cell Service is terrible)!! We want to send a “commendation letter” to his supervisor, but, we need the correct address to send it to. Thanks in advance.” – J. and S. Kunkle
September 7, 2022
Trooper Rawlinson, Box Elder County
“I want to compliment Trooper Phil Rawlinson of the Utah Highway Patrol for his professional and most helpful service. After spend the day at Wellsville, UT Founder’s Day festivities, my wife and I were returning home to West Valley City on Highway 89 when we had a flat tire. When changing the tire, I was unable to loosen one of the lug nuts. As I was working to get the tire off, Trooper Rawlinson kindly stopped to offer assistance. Using the tools that he had and his skills (and sweat, as it was hot), we were able to change the tire. I deeply appreciate his willingness to stop and 1) make sure we were OK, 2) use his tools and skills to help me change the tire to get us back on our way. I want you to know how grateful I am for his service. THANK YOU.” – L. Powell
August 30, 2022
Sgt. Gurney, Utah County
“Hello UHP, I am simply getting on to praise one of your UHP Officers, Sgt. D. Gurney. Yesterday I was driving my Ford-150 south on I-15 when I was pulled over by Sgt. Gurney for speeding. I was driving, and had two of my co-workers in the truck as well. My truck as large tires, and apparently, I was going much faster than my speedometer said I was. That said, Sgt. Gurney was kind and polite and listened to my story intently, which I appreciated, as I’m sure like many UHP Officers, everyone gets a ‘story’ as to why they were speeding. After taking my license and registration, he came back with a warning and asked that I get my speedometer recalibrated so that I would know what my speed truly was. My goal in writing this is to thank Sgt. Gurney for his demeanor, but furthermore, for listening to my ‘story’ and actually believing me when I told him I didn’t think I was speeding. We could all tell he was a good man and appreciated his service in protecting us and those on the highway. I hope this message gets to him, as well as his management team as he seems to be a very good officer. Thanks, Sgt. Gurney!” – B. Homer
August 30, 2022
Sgt. Freckleton, Utah County
“My husband and I were driving South on I-15 close to the University Parkway exit on August 18, Thursday evening at about 8 p.m. when we experienced a complete blowout/shredding of our rear driver’s side tire. There is no real shoulder where we were, and we were uncomfortably close to the passing traffic. My husband was working on getting the damaged tire off while I was trying to handle the spare under the truck. Our lug nut wrench was not the correct size and we were struggling. Did I mention we were in our nice clothes on our way to a wedding reception? We were so relieved when a very kind, knowledgeable, and patient Highway Patrol Trooper pulled up behind us, both shielding and protecting us, and helping change the tire. He went out of his way to be helpful and kind. Sgt. Colton Freckleton stopped, got out of his car, greeted us warmly, and asked if he could help. He had a great jack, a wooden block, and a cordless tool that helped put on and take off the lug nuts. In no time at all, we were back on the road, safely. He knew exactly what to do and did it efficiently and quickly. I cannot emphasize enough how professional Sgt. Freckleton was. Would you be able to put our letter of appreciation in his file to acknowledge his excellent service? And thank you for the service all of you provide. We surely appreciate and support you.” – P. Horne
August 26, 2022
Trooper Alexander, Salt Lake County
I just wanted to thank Trooper W. Alexander for his kindness on August 15, 2022. My sister-in-law (who had actually been a 911 operator for Unified Police for 14 years) had passed away a few days prior to that. With the grief of her passing and the stress of planning her funeral by myself, it was a really hard morning. I was just getting on the freeway coming from the Sandy and pulled up right next to Trooper Alexander as we were getting onto the freeway, and he could see I didn’t have my seatbelt on correctly. He pulled me over and approached my passenger side with a kind smile. I knew I was in the wrong so all I could do was apologize. I told him where I was coming from and what I just had to do and he took my license and then came back and said, “I’m just giving you a warning, actually just an education on wearing your seatbelt correctly.” He also said he was sorry for our loss and was just really really genuine and kind. I know it doesn’t seem like a big thing, but on that really hard and emotional morning, it was HUGE to me. I really really appreciate the kindness he showed. I appreciate all of your services and don’t know what we would do without all of you. Thank you for risking your lives every day and for all the good things you do!” – S. Anderson
August 22, 2022
Trooper Reynolds, Grand County
“Roger Reynolds of the Moab division really helped us out by keeping us safe while we changed a flat tire on a busy road during that huge storm this past weekend that flooded Moab and caused those mudslides on highway 191. He really made a difference for us.” – M. Hagen
August 16, 2022
Trooper Williams, Salt Lake County
“A Shout out to Trooper Travis Williams for his good work yesterday afternoon taking care of my mother-in-law in an embarrassing and potentially dangerous situation on I-15. Two flats and unable to move her car, Trooper Williams was soon on the scene with a colleague and were able to take care of the situation when no family members could get there. Car towed, and Dorothy was given a ride home singing the praises of the Utah Highway Patrol and Trooper Williams. Thank you!” -L. Ronnow
August 10, 2022
Sgt. Irvine, Weber County
“I just wanted to thank Sgt Irvine for being gracious and considerate this morning when he pulled me over. I am up for a promotion after my evaluation at work today and clearly was quite nervous. He was very gracious even though I was in the wrong and driving over the speed limit. And I just wanted to commend him and UHP.” – S. Sisk
August 3, 2022
Trooper Hooser, Summit County
I would like to highly commend Trooper Hooser who works out of the northeast sector. He lives in Evanston, WY. I can not say thank you enough for the care and compassion he showed my brother, when he encountered a serious medical issue while traveling from Wisconsin to Utah. Trooper Hooser went above and beyond to ensure my brother’s safety. He remained with him at his vehicle for nearly two hours until I could arrive. He kept me constantly informed of his situation, and he summoned an ambulance to transport him to a nearby hospital. It appears my brother which could have resulted in a much worse end result. My family and I appreciate Trooper Hooser’s dedication and empathy in assisting my brother. I can’t say thanks enough!” – D. Kamps
July 16, 2022
Trooper Stacey, Box Elder County
“Hello, I just wanted to reach out and recognize one of your troopers for helping me and my family out a few weeks ago. Back on July 16th we were returning home from Bear Lake when a tire on our boat trailer blew out just as we were about to cross into Wyoming. We were stopped just a few yards over the State Line and had a spare tire, but we didn’t have a jack that would lift the boat. We were traveling with my wife’s brother who is a AAA member and he had contacted them, but they were struggling to find anyone to come help us in a timely manner. As we were waiting for them to come, UHP Trooper Stacey showed up and offered to help (even though we were technically parked in Wyoming.) She told me she had a jack in her cruiser that she felt could do the job. We put the jack under the trailer axle and within minutes we were back on the road. I’m so grateful she was there to help us and I just wanted to express my appreciation for her help. Please give her our thanks!” – S. Swensen
July 17, 2022
Trooper Z. Breur
Juab County
“I had the pleasure of meeting Officer Z. Breur on a traffic stop near Millard Utah on Sunday, July 17th at 1520. Officer Breur was so kind, professional, and merciful to me and I would love for his superiors to know what an excellent Officer of the Law he is. He helped me want to drive within the speed limit and I genuinely felt he was concerned for my safety. Please forward this on if you can or let me know how I can get this to his supervisor. Thanks so much!” – C. Holmes
July 15, 2022
Trooper Bagley
Sevier County
“I just want to mention that officer Bagley initiated a traffic stop and during my encounter that the officer displayed the utmost professionalism and respect the whole time. We need more officers like him. Please add this to his personnel file.” J. Weese
July 7, 2022
Troopers Law and Wilde, Davis County
“We would like to recognize the professional and thoughtful handling of our unexpected debris accident on July 7th, 2022. Case number 032201408 Trooper T. Wilde and secondary Trooper J. Law. Both Troopers were helpful, thoughtful and professional. We want to recognize them because they helped ease a stressful time. Thank them for their great service to our community.” – J. and S. Rask