OGDEN — On the one-year anniversary of his death, Jared Francom’s home away from home was named after him.
In an emotional ceremony held outside the Ogden City’s public safety building Friday, the city officially renamed the building the Francom Public Safety Building in honor of the slain officer.
The building, which sits at 2186 Lincoln Ave., houses administration for both Ogden’s police and fire departments.
An Ogden police officer and strike force agent, Francom was killed on Jan. 4, 2012, while executing a search warrant for the Weber-Morgan Narcotics Strike Force at the home of Matthew David Stewart.
Upon entering the residence, gunfire erupted and Francom was hit by multiple gunshots.
Ogden officers Shawn Grogan, Kasey Burrell and Michael Rounkles, Weber County Sheriff’s Nate Hutchinson, and Roy officer Jason VanderWarf were also injured in the exchange.
On Friday, Francom’s wife, Erin Francom, thanked the gathering for their support and spoke of her fallen husband’s love for his work.
“He died doing a job he loved and one he did very well,” she said. “(His fellow officers) were his second family.”
Ogden Police Chief Mike Ashment, Mayor Mike Caldwell and Council Chair Neil Garner also spoke at the event, which was attended by Francom’s family, hundreds of police officers and other community members.
Police Chief Mike Ashment, Mayor Mike Caldwell and Council Chairman Neil Garner also spoke at the event, which was attended by Francom’s family, police officers and other community members.
Caldwell said he hopes the building will serve as a permanent reminder of the sacrifices the city’s police officers and firefighters make on a daily basis.
“So much of what you do goes unseen and underappreciated,” he said.
During the ceremony, officers unveiled a new plaque at the front of the building, featuring Francom’s name.
When the ceremony concluded, the crowd did not quickly disperse, but stood in silence looking at the new plaque.
Francom’s father, Jade, said he could feel his son’s presence at the ceremony.
“He’s here and he’s smiling,” he said. “I’m sure he’s tickled pink. He loved Ogden, and he loved the people here.”
He said he hopes the positive feelings he felt at the ceremony are a sign of things to come in 2013.
"Last year was a tough year,” he said. “Hopefully this year will be a little bit better.”
Francom’s mother, Shelly, said she was “honored and elated” when Ashment told her a few months ago the building would be renamed after her son.
“After everything we went through last year, it felt good to have some good news,” she said.
Francom was sworn in as a police officer on Feb. 7, 2005. He graduated from the Utah Peace Officer Standards and Training on June 10 of the same year.
Francom was assigned to the strike force Aug. 22, 2009.
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