Utah trooper dies while rescuing stranded hikers

This is a sober reminder that our police and other emergency personnel risk their lives every day for our safety. Only 34 years old, this officer died Saturday while helping rescue two stranded hikers in Utah. From the Officer Down Memorial Page:

Trooper Aaron Beesley died after falling from a cliff while performing a search and rescue mission in Salt Lake County. Trooper Beesley, a tactical flight officer for the agency, had been assisting in the search for two missing teenage hikers along the Mount Olympus Trail. The helicopter located the two and Trooper Beesley was placed on the ground to assist them. As the the two were airlifted to safety Trooper Beesley was left at the scene.

When the helicopter returned to retrieve Trooper Beesley he could not be located. He was located at the bottom of a 90-foot cliff a short time later. Ground based rescue crews reached his location approximately 45 minutes later. It is believed he was attempting to retrieve a backpack when he fell from the trail.

Trooper Beesley had served with the Utah Highway Patrol for 13 years. He is survived by his wife and three children. Please contact the following agency to send condolences or to obtain funeral arrangements: Colonel Daniel Fuhr Utah Highway Patrol 4501 South 2700 West PO Box 141775 Salt Lake City, UT 84114 Phone: (801) 887-3800

I think this incident stood out to me because of all the mountains surrounding the Shenandoah Valley. It easily could have happened here.