Ogden police identify slain officer as Nate Lyday, ‘felled by the forces of evil’
The remains of officer Nate Lyday are brought to Lindquist's Ogden Mortuary in a procession on Friday, May 29, 2020. Lyday was shot and killed on Thursday while responding to a domestic violence call.
A banner with the picture of officer Nate Lyday hangs outside the Francom Public Safety Center in Ogden on Friday, May 29, 2020. Lyday was shot and killed Thursday while responding to a domestic violence call.
The remains of officer Nate Lyday are brought to Lindquist's Ogden Mortuary in a procession on Friday, May 29, 2020. Lyday was shot and killed on Thursday while responding to a domestic violence call.
Mourners place flowers on a police patrol car in honor of officer Nate Lyday on Friday, May 29, 2020, outside the Francom Public Safety Center in Ogden. Lyday was shot and killed Thursday while responding to a domestic violence call.
The remains of officer Nate Lyday are brought to Lindquist's Ogden Mortuary in a procession on Friday, May 29, 2020. Lyday was shot and killed on Thursday while responding to a domestic violence call.
Ogden Police Lt. Brian Eynon speaks during a memorial for officer Nate Lyday on Friday, May 29, 2020, outside the Francom Public Safety Center in Ogden. Lyday was shot and killed Thursday while responding to a domestic violence call.
The remains of officer Nate Lyday are brought to Lindquist's Ogden Mortuary in a procession on Friday, May 29, 2020. Lyday was shot and killed on Thursday while responding to a domestic violence call.
A large American flag is draped over the side of the Francom Public Safety Center in Ogden on Friday, May 29, 2020. A ceremony was held to honor the life and service of officer Nate Lyday, who was killed Thursday while responding to a domestic violence call.
The remains of officer Nate Lyday are brought to Lindquist's Ogden Mortuary in a procession on Friday, May 29, 2020. Lyday was shot and killed on Thursday while responding to a domestic violence call.
Flags and chalk messages adorn the grounds of the Francom Public Safety Center in Ogden on Friday, May 29, 2020. A ceremony was held to honor the life and service of officer Nate Lyday, who was killed Thursday while responding to a domestic violence call.
The remains of officer Nate Lyday are brought to Lindquist's Ogden Mortuary in a procession on Friday, May 29, 2020. Lyday was shot and killed on Thursday while responding to a domestic violence call.
Flowers are placed on a patrol car in honor of Ogden Police officer Nate Lyday on Friday, May 29, 2020, outside the Francom Public Safety Center in Ogden. Lyday was shot and killed Thursday while responding to a domestic violence call.
The remains of officer Nate Lyday are brought to Lindquist's Ogden Mortuary in a procession on Friday, May 29, 2020. Lyday was shot and killed on Thursday while responding to a domestic violence call.
The remains of officer Nate Lyday are brought to Lindquist's Ogden Mortuary in a procession on Friday, May 29, 2020. Lyday was shot and killed on Thursday while responding to a domestic violence call.
The remains of officer Nate Lyday are brought to Lindquist's Ogden Mortuary in a procession on Friday, May 29, 2020. Lyday was shot and killed on Thursday while responding to a domestic violence call.
The remains of officer Nate Lyday are brought to Lindquist's Ogden Mortuary in a procession on Friday, May 29, 2020. Lyday was shot and killed on Thursday while responding to a domestic violence call.
The remains of officer Nate Lyday are brought to Lindquist's Ogden Mortuary in a procession on Friday, May 29, 2020. Lyday was shot and killed on Thursday while responding to a domestic violence call.
The remains of officer Nate Lyday are brought to Lindquist's Ogden Mortuary in a procession on Friday, May 29, 2020. Lyday was shot and killed on Thursday while responding to a domestic violence call.
The remains of officer Nate Lyday are brought to Lindquist's Ogden Mortuary in a procession on Friday, May 29, 2020. Lyday was shot and killed on Thursday while responding to a domestic violence call.
The remains of officer Nate Lyday are brought to Lindquist's Ogden Mortuary in a procession on Friday, May 29, 2020. Lyday was shot and killed on Thursday while responding to a domestic violence call.
The remains of officer Nate Lyday are brought to Lindquist's Ogden Mortuary in a procession on Friday, May 29, 2020. Lyday was shot and killed on Thursday while responding to a domestic violence call.
The remains of officer Nate Lyday are brought to Lindquist's Ogden Mortuary in a procession on Friday, May 29, 2020. Lyday was shot and killed on Thursday while responding to a domestic violence call.
The remains of officer Nate Lyday are brought to Lindquist's Ogden Mortuary in a procession on Friday, May 29, 2020. Lyday was shot and killed on Thursday while responding to a domestic violence call.
The remains of officer Nate Lyday are brought to Lindquist's Ogden Mortuary in a procession on Friday, May 29, 2020. Lyday was shot and killed on Thursday while responding to a domestic violence call.
The remains of officer Nate Lyday are brought to Lindquist's Ogden Mortuary in a procession on Friday, May 29, 2020. Lyday was shot and killed on Thursday while responding to a domestic violence call.
The remains of officer Nate Lyday are brought to Lindquist's Ogden Mortuary in a procession on Friday, May 29, 2020. Lyday was shot and killed on Thursday while responding to a domestic violence call.
The remains of officer Nate Lyday are brought to Lindquist's Ogden Mortuary in a procession on Friday, May 29, 2020. Lyday was shot and killed on Thursday while responding to a domestic violence call.
OGDEN — Police Chief Randy Watt on Friday morning identified the officer killed on a domestic violence call Thursday as Nate Lyday, 24.
The man found dead inside an Ogden home after an exchange of gunfire with police was identified as 53-year-old John Benedict Coleman.
In a short address outside the Francom Public Safety Center, Watt said Lyday was “a warrior, a guardian, a public servant.” The chief said Lyday “was felled by the forces of evil.”
Watt spoke against a warm springtime background outside the building named after the previously most recent Ogden officer killed in the line of duty, Jared Francom. Francom was killed and five other local officers were wounded in an Ogden shootout with a drug suspect in January 2012.
Lyday, on the force for 15 months, was shot at 12:14 p.m. Thursday at a home in the 300 block of Jackson Avenue after officers responded to a 911 call from a woman who said a man was threatening to kill her.
Watt said in a brief statement Thursday afternoon that Coleman retreated into the house and then fired through the closed front door, striking Lyday and a state probation officer, who was wounded.
Other officers returned fire into the house and dragged the wounded officers out of the yard.
Lyday was pronounced dead at McKay-Dee Hospital.
The Ogden Metro SWAT Team later found Coleman dead inside the house.
Friday, Watt said Lyday “sacrificed his life for the safety” of the innocent people who were at risk at the Jackson house. After the shooting of the two officers, SWAT officers were able to get children out of the home safely.
The police chief described Lyday as a “son of Ogden” who was born at McKay-Dee Hospital, attended Mound Fort Junior High and Ogden High School and graduated summa cum laude with a master’s in criminal justice from Weber State University.
His father was a police officer and his brother works in code enforcement for Ogden City, Watt said.
Lyday had worked at Fresh Market on 21st Street and Harrison Boulevard in Ogden, Watt said.
Lyday and his wife were about to celebrate their fifth anniversary and her graduation from Weber State, the chief said.
“May God bless the Lyday family, the Ogden Police Department and the United States of America,” Watt said.
Flags placed by well-wishers lined the Francom Center, and the Lyday family and the police department were showered with condolences from the community and other public safety agencies and personnel.
The probation officer who was shot Thursday suffered a non-life-threatening injury. His identity was not available as of Friday morning.
Little was immediately known about Coleman, who did not appear to have a criminal record according to the Utah state courts online records system.
Per Weber County critical incident protocol for shootings involving local police officers, the County Attorney’s Office is in charge of the investigation.
Utah Gov. Gary Herbert
“I am heartbroken to hear the news from Ogden this evening. Standing tall in the line of duty is a brave and noble act, and my prayers are with the fallen officer’s family and friends. Tonight, the whole state mourns with @OGDEN_POLICE”
Ogden City Council
“Together with the greater Ogden community, the City Council mourns the loss of one of Ogden City Police Department’s officers, who tragically lost his life in the line of duty Thursday afternoon when responding to a call. Words cannot fully express the level of sorrow and empathy we feel for the officer’s family and his partners in the Ogden Police Department. …
We want to extend our deepest gratitude for his service and that of all officers who willingly put themselves in life-threatening situations on a regular basis to keep our community safe. The bravery shown day in and day out is of the highest caliber. Thank you for your sacrifice and may those who need it find the solace to endure this loss.”
Weber State University President Brad Mortensen
“Thoughts, prayers, and admiration go out to @OGDEN_POLICE today. Thanks for your dedication and service and sympathies to the family of our fallen officer.”
Weber State Police
“Our deepest sympathies go out to our Ogden Police Department brothers and sisters. We stand with them in this difficult time.”
Davis County Sheriff’s Office
“Sending love and support to @OGDEN_POLICE and to the loved ones of the officer whose life was taken today when he was trying to protect the lives of others.”
Layton City
“Our deepest sympathies go to Ogden Police Department and the entire Ogden City family. A tragic loss. And our heartfelt gratitude for the true public servants who strive and sacrifice for a better community.”
Lt. Gov. Spencer Cox
“Terrible news for our friends in the @OGDEN_POLICE department today. Our hearts are broken at the tragic loss of a dedicated public servant. Our prayers go out to his family and colleagues at this difficult time.”
U.S. Rep. Ben McAdams
“My heart breaks for the senseless murder of this officer killed while doing his job to protect and serve. Julie and I send our deepest condolences to his family, friends, and all of @OGDEN_POLICE.”
U.S. Rep. Chris Stewart
“I am heartbroken to hear of the @OGDEN_POLICE officer who was killed in the line of duty today. My prayers go out to their family, friends, and fellow officers during this unimaginable time.”
Utah Attorney General Sean Reyes
“This is the worst news possible. I am heartbroken to learn of the Ogden Police officer who was killed in the line of duty while answering a domestic violence call today. His wife and family received the phone call today no law enforcement family member ever wants to get.
My agency and I send all our prayers and love to the officer’s family and to Chief Randy Watt and the entire Ogden City Police Department. We also pray for the rapid recovery of the Adult Probation and Parole agent who was also shot in the same incident. This is a humbling reminder of the risks and sacrifice our officers face every single day on the job. I am filled with gratitude to all those men and women in law enforcement who are answering calls even under the added duress of the COVID-19 Pandemic.
I know our Utah 1033 Foundation is activated and we will be ready to support and help the family financially immediately. Other great organizations like FOP are mobilized to assist the family as well.”
John Huntsman Jr.
“My heart breaks for the officers in Ogden who were shot in the line of duty earlier today. The Huntsman family sends our condolences to the families who must deal with the aftermath of this senseless tragedy.”
Utah Highway Patrol
“There are no words that can comfort the grief of the family, friends, sisters & brothers of Ogden’s fallen officer at a time like this. UHP will stand…indefinitely as a support to them, as we honor the sacrifice one brave young officer made in the service of his community.”
Unified Police Department
“Today we mourn the loss of the @OGDEN_POLICE Officer killed in the line of duty this afternoon while responding on a domestic violence call. Our thoughts are with his family and the entire Ogden Police Department as they endure this difficult time.”
Utah Department of Natural Resources
“From our law enforcement personnel, and our administration and staff, we express our deepest condolences to the @OGDEN_POLICE department family, and the loved ones of Officer Nate Lyday.”
Salt Lake City Fire Department
“Deepest Sympathy And Support For Ogden City Police Department
You and the recovering Adult Probation and Parole Officer are in our thoughts.”
Murray City Police
“Sending love, light and strength to Ogden City Police Department and the family and friends of their fallen officer from today’s tragedy. Our hearts are with you!”