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Remembering Sgt. Cory Wride February 23, 2014, 12:13 pmSgt. Wride served with the sheriff's department for nearly 20 years before he was killed. On January 30, 2014, Sgt. Wride was shot and killed in his patrol car while assisting a roadside motorist. The site of the incident, at milepost 30 on SR 73, has become a memorial site, but please use caution when visiting, as the speed limit there is 65 mph and the road at that particular area is narrow. Monday, February 3, hundreds gathered in his honor at Rockwell Charter High School for a candlelight vigil. Many Eagle Mountain residents and employees knew and loved him. He was assigned to patrol the streets of the city. Hundreds of people attended his viewing, Tuesday, February 4, to mourn the loss of this fallen officer. The following day, his funeral was held at the UCCU Center, where loved ones shared their memories of his exemplary life of service. The U.S. Honor Flag, dedicated to honoring fallen officers, was brought in for his funeral. Since September 2001, the U.S. Honor Flag has flown in tribute to many fallen officers' throughout the country. A new pair of white gloves is used each time the flag is carried, and these gloves are given to the surviving loved ones of the deceased. Throngs of people attended the funeral and even more showed their respects statewide. The funeral streamed live online for those who could not be present and is still viewable at deseretnews.com. The funeral procession containing hundreds of law enforcement vehicles traveled to the Spanish Fork Cemetery on streets lined with U.S. flags and blue ribbons. Linda Peterson, EM Public Information Director, says, "I've known Cory since he was first assigned to the UCSO office in Eagle Mountain…He was generally a quiet, private guy. But he was one of those people you liked instantly, who you knew you could trust to have your back. He was professional and kind, and I will miss having him around. I think the best legacy anyone could leave is to have your kids respect and admire you, want to be like you. He's got that, as well as a wife who adored him and treasured every day with him, [and] other family members and deputies who loved and relied on him. Pretty impressive." Adam Ferre, EM Energy Director, grew up in Sgt. Wride's hometown of Benjamin, UT. He recalls recognizing Sgt. Wride's last name when they met at work, and speaking to him about their common acquaintances and friends. Ferre described Sgt. Wride as a quiet man. "You had to strike up the conversation with him," Ferre recalls, "but he was always smiling. I never saw Cory without a smile. He was always there to help." EM Resident Hailey Johnson states that as a frequent visitor of the Chevron gas station in the city, she would see Sgt. Wride often. "While I never knew his name, every time I saw him there he always made eye contact with me and said hello, how are you today, with a smile," Johnson recalls. She says he would never neglect to acknowledge and show kindness to her children as well. "I was happy to know people like him were looking after our city and it made my girls understand the officers were friendly and there to help us not intimidate us." Johnson is one of many residents who share similar memories of a gentle and cheerful Sgt. Wride. In a KSL News interview with Sgt. Wride's parents, Blake and Kathy Wride, Sgt. Wride's father describes him as, "a quiet country boy and a gentleman who lived for his family, for helping others, and [that he] preferred to lead by example rather than words." Blake Wride summed up what his son always cared about most: "His family, his faith and serving other people." Sgt. Wride's mother, Kathy, says, "He was very much a person who lived the kind of life that any mom would be proud of. He was tender and kind and gentle." She says he knew at a young age he wanted to be a police officer. "I actually was not really excited about law enforcement at that time, I guess because a mom knows of the dangers. But it was almost inbred in him. That's what he wanted to do." His parents describe how they knew Cory didn't want to be a police officer for the glory, but because he wanted to serve people. In speaking about Sgt. Wride's wife, Nannette, Kathy adds, "She was his queen and he treated her as such." Nanette Wride describes her husband as her "knight in shining armor" who repeatedly saved her from uncomfortable situations. She says he saw every person as a son or daughter of God with great self worth, despite his or her mistakes. Sgt. Wride reportedly brought Nannette and their daughter, Kylie, flowers and roses often. Over the weekend following his death, Sgt. Wride's sons continued the tradition, bringing them both roses. Their father's exemplary legacy will live on through his family. On Wednesday, February 5, Utah Governor Gary R. Herbert ordered the lowering of the U.S. and State of Utah flags in honor of Sgt. Wride. Herbert publicly stated, "I knew Cory from when I was County Commissioner and I am deeply saddened by his tragic death. Our thoughts and prayers are particularly with Cory's wife and his five children. Sometimes we lose sight of the danger our men and women in uniform face each and every day. Yet they willing serve and respond every time. Let us not forget this, and be grateful for their service and sacrifice." The Wride family has begun to take preventative action for future law enforcement officers. As both Sgt. Wride and Deputy Greg Sherwood were shot through their vehicle windshields, the family is petitioning for bulletproof glass installation for all law enforcement vehicles. The Daily Herald quoted Sgt. Wride's son, Nathan Mohler, on the topic. "We want to make sure that something good comes from this, that our dad's death isn't just another simple cross on the road." The petition is found online at petitions.whitehouse.gov. It is gaining more signatures every day. "I heard that if you start a petition and get 100,000 signatures, then the Obama administration would address your cause," Mohler says. The goal is to obtain at least this many signatures by March 7. The Wride family hopes for every window in these vehicles to be changed to bulletproof glass, but especially the windshield, driver's side and passenger side windows. "Our dad would be proud of what we are doing. This is our dad's legacy. He loved everybody he worked with and we want there to be a change so that this never happens again." For those interested in fundraising efforts, The Run for the Fallen 5K Run is scheduled for Saturday, March 15, at 10 am at Nolan Park in Eagle Mountain. All proceeds will benefit the family of Sgt. Wride. Registration is available online at registermyrace.com, or you may come early between 7:30 and 9:30 am for walk-up registration. Information about the event is also found on Facebook. It is safe to say that his family, friends, and countless others touched by his life, will never forget Sergeant Cory Wride. He will always be remembered for his quiet example of loving and friendly service toward his fellow man. https://petitions.whitehouse.gov/petition/protect-our-law-enforcemnt-being-shot-sgt-cory-wride/pjMtL3j3 The community news source for Eagle Mountain Utah, Saratoga Springs Utah, Lehi Utah, American Fork Utah, Highland Utah, Alpine Utah, and The Cedar Valley, including Cedar Fort Utah and Fairfield Utah. Copyright 2025 The Crossroads Journal LLC. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
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