Families and friends make ribbons at vigil to honor fallen Tremonton officers

TREMONTON, Utah (ABC4) — Dozens of friends and family members gathered at the Tremonton Civic Center to pay their respects to the fallen Tremonton officers, honoring their memories and sharing stories of who they were and the impact they left.

“We lost 10 percent of our department in one night,” Tremonton Garland Police Detective Brent Jex told ABC4.com.

Sergeant Lee Sorenson and Officer Eric Estrada were both shot and killed while responding to a domestic disturbance late Sunday night.

“Both really good cops,” Jex said. “Very different in their styles and personalities, but they loved the community.”

Jex is grieving the loss of his teammates and brothers. “It’s a huge family. It’s like having, for the chief, 20 kids. Everyone has different personalities and styles,” he said.

The loss is being felt throughout the Tremonton community.

“It’s hard knowing he’s gone,” Kortney Ferguson, a friend of Sorensen, said. “He was a good friend, a very good part of the community, and he was respectful, kind, and helpful on duty or off. He was always helping someone.”

At the vigil, family and friends gathered to make ribbons in their honor.

“Couple hundred feet of fabric for ribbon to go around town, around the city,” Justin Crockett, a Garland resident, told ABC4.com. “Tomorrow is the parade procession for the county fair. Something the community looks for every year, and because it’s going to be an outpouring this year, we wanted to cut ribbons and put them all along the parade route.”

The faces of Sorensen and Estrada will live on in this small community.

“We’re here to support them, and we love and care about them, and Tremonton has their back,” Crockett said.

Funerals for Sorensen and Estrada will be held sometime this week, but reportedly, they are still figuring out details.