West Valley City Police Officer Cody Brotherson was laid to rest on Monday. The 25-year-old was killed in the line of duty earlier this month when he was struck by a stolen vehicle.
Hundreds of people, including law enforcement officers from around the state and country attended Brotherson’s funeral at the Maverik Center in West Valley City to honor him.
Friends and family remembered Brotherson as someone fiercely loyal to those he cared about. His mother Jenny Brotherson said her son would often stop by her house before his shift began.
“Before he walked out the door, it was always, ‘I love you mom,’” she said. “And my response was always the same, ‘I love you too, be safe.’ And he always said, ‘I got this.’”
Family members say Brotherson’s lifelong dream was to become a police officer, a dream he realized three years ago when he joined the West Valley City police force. Brotherson was born and raised in West Valley. Police Chief Lee Russo remembered him as a hometown hero.
“His final act was in total alignment with the mission of the West Valley City Police Department in that he was acting to protect the community, to prevent crime and bring offenders to justice,” Russo said.
Brotherson’s fiancée Jessica Le said they fell in love quickly and had recently bought a home together. She remembered him as a prankster who once pulled her over for failing to signal and actually called it in.
“In the end he let me off with a warning and thought he was pretty funny,” Le said. “I’m sure he still does.”
Cody Brotherson was hit by a stolen car on Sunday, Nov. 6. He had been laying tire spikes in the street in an attempt to stop the vehicle. Three unnamed juvenile suspects are in custody and charges have not been filed.
