While officers serving with the Holladay Precinct of Unified Police Department protect residents and business owners every day, Holladay Precinct Chief Justin Hoyal took time to recognize officers in two specific cases that exemplified compassion, dedication and good police work. 

Officer Carrie Rigby was presented with a UPD Incentive Award for her investigation into a suspicious driver. Rigby took time to research the suspect’s history and reached out to the woman’s father to get more information. 

He told Rigby his daughter was displaying bizarre behavior and not acting like the person she used to be. Although the officer discovered the suspect had no criminal history and the chances of getting released from jail quickly were high, she understood the woman needed medical and mental health care, not an arrest.

“Officer Rigby took the time to get the information and help the suspect, who was in a mental health crisis, as well as her family, who had been desperately trying to get help for their loved one,” Hoyal said. “This is a true example of how police work should entail compassion and empathy towards others. This is just a small example of the work that she does on all of her cases. Every single day, she goes above and beyond to make sure that everybody is taken care of and served 110%.”

Hoyal also presented 12 Holladay officers and one Murray detective with the UPD Division Commander Award for their collaborative work in a burglary investigation. While the initial crime happened in Holladay, officers discovered the suspect was living in Murray. 

In cooperation with the Murray City Police Department, UPD officers solved what at first appeared to be an isolated property crime but soon became a complex investigation. After obtaining a search warrant for the suspect’s home, 10 people were arrested and key evidence was seized, including burglary tools, stolen property, fraudulent documents, drug paraphernalia and firearms. 

“[The officers’] collective actions reflect the highest standards of this department and directly contributed to the identification and arrest of multiple suspects involved in a large-scale theft operation,” Hoyal said. “These personnel demonstrated outstanding perseverance, investigative skills, teamwork and commitment to public safety. These members are deserving of receiving this division commander’s award.”

Officers honored included Holladay Detectives Jason Aposhian, Easton Story, Anna Walker, Chad Pedersen, Angie Oldham, Cody Hampton, Geoff Clark, Johnny Ortiz, Officer Kyle Cadwallader, Sergeants Shawn Fausett and Edward Twohill, Lieutenant Tyler Ackerman and Murray Detective Will Riding. 

“Detective Will Riding, with the Murray Police Department, will oftentimes coordinate with other law enforcement agencies, but he was here through the whole enchilada, and stayed with us and worked side by side with our detective to see this whole thing through,” Hoyal said. “We’re very grateful for the partnership that we have with the Murray Police Department.”