Honoring Heroes: West Jordan’s New Fallen Officer Tribute

A single stone for the ultimate sacrifice.
A reflection pool for remembrance.
Water flowing to drown out the outside world and provide a space for peace.
Greenery, flowers and fish make a self-sustaining ecosystem.
All these things bring together a living memorial for our fallen police officers.

During the dedication to the monument on Sept 2, West Jordan Police Chief Ken Wallentine said, "To have a sense of purpose that is bigger than us gives us a reason to be better ourselves."

The memorial also includes benches, new trees and bushes and two headstones with our fallen officers' names:

Thomas M. Reese - 1986

Ron Wood - 2002

K9 Maya - 2022

It is humbling to see empty space on the stones, ready for more names in the future. "We're not naive enough to think something like that can't happen again," Executive Officer Gary Cox, who coordinated the plans for the memorial and made it a reality, said. "We recognize that's one of the risks we take. We go into those dangerous situations knowing full well what the risks are."

At the dedication Mayor Dirk Burton said, "I am sad we have to have a memorial at all. This memorial is important to show what police have done for our community and our department. I can't describe how much I appreciate you but I hope you do feel it."

Every piece of the monument was either donated or bought with donated funds. Glover Nursery donated the plants. The water feature was donated by Aquascape, Inc.. The planting and decorative rocks were put in by volunteer officers, while the City Parks department helped with the sprinkler drip system.

Travis Rees, son of Thomas Rees, also spoke at the dedication. "I love this memorial…to remind officers what they are doing this job for," he said. "You have the opportunity to affect people every day. I want the officers heading into the department to remember that what you do matters."

The new memorial was dedicated only a few days after public viewings for two Tremonton Officers who were killed in action on Aug 17, 2025. West Jordan Police have been planning their Fallen Officer Memorial for several years, and the timing was a coincidence. However, it drives home the reality that our officers put their lives on the line daily. Flowers were also placed during West Jordan's ceremony, dedicated to Sergeant Lee Sorensen and Officer Eric Estrada

More About West Jordan's Fallen Officers

Thomas Rees - February 23, 1986

Officer Thomas Rees was accidentally killed during a firearm training exercise. The Thomas Rees Justice Center was named in honor of him. Officer Rees served with the West Jordan Police Department for six years. He is survived by his wife, two children, and one stepchild.

Ron Wood - November 18, 2002

Following a short foot pursuit, Officer Ron Wood was shot and killed by a 17-year-old boy wanted for questioning in an aggravated assault case. Officer Wood served with the West Jordan Police Department for eight years. He is survived by his wife.

Maya - February 17, 2022

K9 Maya was shot and killed while attempting to apprehend an armed felony suspect. Maya had served with the West Jordan Police Department for six years.