Utah Officer Struck and Killed Respond to Pursuit, Marking Department's First Line of Duty Death

WEST VALLEY CITY, UTAH — A police officer in Utah was killed after he was struck by a car that had reportedly been stolen that authorities were in pursuit of, police in West Valley City, Utah said.

According to police, an officer observed a suspicious vehicle Sunday morning and subsequently saw three people heading towards an apartment complex. Officers responded to the scene and saw the three people steal a car from the parking lot of the apartment complex.

The suspects fled when officers attempted to stop the vehicle and officers initiated a pursuit, police said. Officers attempted to stop the vehicle at one point by attempting to spike the tires when an officer attempting to deploy tire spikes was struck by the stolen vehicle, police said.

Officers reported the suspect's vehicle veering towards them and approximately 30 seconds later called for medical help to assist the officer who had been hit.

The three suspects are in custody after their car left the roadway a short distance away and came to rest. They are currently being questioned to determine their level of involvement.

The slain officer was identified as 25-year-old Cody Brotherson. He had been with the department since 2013 and grew up in West Valley City. Brotherson his survived by his parents, his two brothers and his fiancé.

It is the first line of duty death for the department since it was founded in 1980.

Image via West Valley City PD