SOUTH SALT LAKE -- Supporters and political colleagues of Senate Majority Leader Sheldon Killpack expressed shock and concern about his arrest in South Salt Lake.
A Utah Highway Patrol trooper arrested Killpack, R-Syracuse, early Friday morning and booked him into Salt Lake County Jail on a class B misdemeanor, suspicion of driving under the influence.
Killpack apologized in a news release Friday afternoon.
"I am deeply sorry for the impact this incident will have on those who support and trust me -- my colleagues in the Senate, my constituents and, most importantly, my family," Killpack wrote.
"I am a firm believer in responsibility and personal accountability, and am prepared to accept all personal, legal and political consequences for my actions."
The Salt Lake County Attorney's Office will file the charge in 3rd District Court instead of sending it to a justice court because the stop occurred in the county, said Mark Biljanick, the communication director for the office.
"Our position is that, even though this is an unfortunate situation, we will treat it like any other person," Biljanick said.
Killpack was elected majority leader Nov. 7, 2008, and has represented the 21st District, which includes Syracuse, West Point and Clinton, since he was appointed in 2003.
"I appreciate the fact Senator (Killpack) was upfront and took full responsibility for his actions," said House Majority Whip Rep. Brad Dee, R-Washington Terrace.
Senate President Michael Waddoups also released a statement Friday.
"This is a difficult time for Senator Killpack and his family," Waddoups wrote. "He has requested privacy as he addresses the situation with those closest to him."
UHP Sgt. Jeff Nigbur said the trooper who arrested Killpack was patrolling the area near 3300 South and 700 East in South Salt Lake when he spotted a vehicle with "a poor driving pattern."
The trooper pulled over the vehicle, and he did "not know who Killpack was, nor did Senator Killpack mention who he was," Nigbur said.
Nigbur said a male passenger was in the vehicle but would not identify him.
The trooper noticed an odor of alcohol while talking to Killpack. He asked Killpack to get out of the vehicle and perform field sobriety tests, Nigbur said.
Then the trooper asked Killpack to take a breath test using portable equipment, but Killpack refused, Nigbur said.
Killpack was arrested, then given the "DUI admonitions," Nigbur said.
Killpack was then asked if he would take a breath test on an Intoxilyzer, which he refused to do, Nigbur said.
The trooper secured a warrant through e-mail to draw blood from Killpack, Nigbur said. Results take two weeks to a month.
Killpack was booked in Salt Lake County Jail at 2:45 a.m. Friday and later released.
"It's unfortunate and regrettable for Senator Killpack to be involved in this," Nigbur said. "He's done a lot of good for Utah and the community."
Killpack sponsored a bill during the 2009 Legislature that made changes to how DUIs are reported if those convicted participated in DUI courts. It went into effect in May 2009.
He also co-sponsored a House bill, which passed, allowing courts to seize vehicles of habitual drunken drivers.
Sen. Allen Christensen, R-North Ogden, said when he first heard the news, "I refused to believe it. Sheldon (Killpack) is the last person I would believe to do this."
Christensen said he hopes the incident will not politically harm Killpack.
"If this wasn't Utah, it would be business as usual, but this is Utah and this is Sheldon," Christensen said. "I feel more bad for him than anything else."
The Senate Republican caucus is set to meet Wednesday.
Senate Minority Leader Pat Jones, D-Salt Lake City, said the situation "sounds out of character for Sheldon."
"We need to let the process take place," Jones said.
She, too, said she feels "remorseful for his family, and I feel very sorry for Sheldon. I count him as one of my good friends."
Rep. Paul Ray, R-Clinton, shares some of Killpack's constituents. He said he was "very shocked" by the report.
Killpack was instrumental in getting funding for Weber State University's Davis campus building and was a big force behind transportation issues.
Dee said Killpack spearheaded many transportation projects in Northern Utah, as well as economic development projects, such as Falcon Hill near Hill Air Force Base.
Dave Hansen, chairman of the Utah Republican Party, issued a statement saying, "Our thoughts and prayers go out to Senator Killpack and his family at this time. ... Senator Killpack has served his district and the state with distinction in the Utah State Senate."
The statement goes on to say, "It is inexcusable for anyone, especially those in positions of public trust, to violate our laws."
Then the statement says Republican Party members plan to work with Killpack, the Senate leadership and others "to deal with this unfortunate and unexpected situation."
Killpack is employed by Academica West, a Kaysville-based charter school services and support organization.
Jed Stevenson, a partner at Academica West, said, "We wish (Killpack) well as he works through these difficulties."
Standard-Examiner reporter Dan Weist contributed to this article.
ON THE WEB: Killpack resigns from state Senate
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FARMINGTON -- Senate Majority Leader Sheldon Killpack (R-Syracuse) apologizes for getting arrested for driving under the influence.
Killpack was booked in the Salt Lake County Jail early Friday morning on suspicion of driving under the influence.
In a written press release released before 1 p.m. Friday, Killpack wrote, "I am deeply sorry for the impact this incident will have on those who support and trust me -- my colleagues in the senate, my constituents and, most importantly, my family. I am a firm believer in responsibility and personal accountability, and am prepared to accept all personal, legal and political consequences for my actions."
A Utah Highway Patrol trooper pulled a vehicle over at 3300 S. 1000 East, after noticing it had a poor driving pattern, according to a press release.
"Upon speaking to the driver of the vehicle the trooper noticed a strong odor of alcohol," according to the press release.
The trooper asked Killpack to take a field sobriety test and then asked Killpack to blow into a portable breath tester.
Killpack refused and was then arrested.
Following DUI admonitions that were read to Killpack, Killpack refused to take a breath test on an intoxilizer. An E-warrant to take blood was then obtained, troopers said.
He was booked in the Salt Lake County Jail at 2:45 a.m. Friday and has posted bail.
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