On a calm Sunday evening, August 17, 2025, the community of Tremonton, Utah, was shattered by an act of violence that claimed the life of Sergeant Lee Sorensen, a 56-year-old Caucasian male and a respected member of the Tremonton-Garland Police Department. The tragic events unfolded after 9:00 p.m. when officers were dispatched to a residence near 700 North and 200 East following multiple 911 hang-up calls that pointed to a domestic dispute.
Upon arrival, an officer was speaking with a resident about the domestic disturbance when a man emerged from the house armed with a rifle and opened fire, mortally wounding the officer. Sergeant Sorensen, arriving as backup, was also shot and killed in the ensuing chaos. The gunman also fired upon a Box Elder County Sheriff's deputy and his K9 partner who had arrived at the scene, causing non-life-threatening injuries to both.
As more law enforcement personnel descended on the chaotic scene, bystanders played a crucial role in convincing the armed man to surrender. The suspect, identified as 32-year-old Ryan Michael Bate, was then taken into custody. He was subsequently charged with two counts of aggravated murder, and prosecutors have announced their intention to seek the death penalty.
Sergeant Sorensen was a veteran officer with 16 years of service to the Tremonton-Garland Police Department. He was remembered by neighbors and community members as a dedicated and friendly officer who was always looking for ways to help others. He had recently been promoted to the rank of Sergeant and was scheduled to be officially sworn in just days after his death. His loss, alongside that of his colleague Officer Eric Estrada, left a profound void in the community he served for so long. He is survived by his wife and three children.
