On a cold January night in 2010, the life of 38-year-old White/Caucasian Millard County Sheriff's Deputy Josie Greathouse Fox was cut short. On January 5th, while on patrol just a mile east of Delta, Utah, she initiated a traffic stop on a vehicle. As she approached the car, she was shot and killed with a high-powered rifle. At least one of the bullets penetrated her body armor, inflicting a fatal wound.
A statewide manhunt ensued for the suspect, who fled the scene.
The man, identified as Roberto Miramontes Roman, was later found hiding in a shed in Beaver County. The investigation revealed a tragic twist: Deputy Fox's own brother, Ryan Greathouse, had been with Roman shortly before the shooting, allegedly to purchase drugs. Ryan Greathouse was not charged in connection with his sister's death and died of a drug overdose a few months later.
Roman was arrested and charged with capital murder. In a surprising turn of events during his state trial in August 2012, he was acquitted of the murder charge. However, the jury found him guilty of evidence tampering and possession of a dangerous weapon, for which he was sentenced to up to 10 years in prison.
Following the state trial, federal authorities brought new charges against Roman. In February 2017, he was convicted in federal court of intentionally killing a law enforcement officer, along with several other charges. This time, the verdict brought a different outcome, and Roberto Miramontes Roman was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole. Another man, Ruben Chavez-Reyes, who was with Roman, was convicted of obstruction of justice and other related charges for helping Roman after the shooting.
