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Wasatch County
Heber, Midway and Wasatch County

Wasatch County Sheriff Sworn-In

Wasatch County has a new sheriff in town. Sheriff Jared Rigby along with nearly 100 of the sheriff department’s employees reaffirmed their commitment to the county on Monday afternoon.

Sheriff Jared Rigby won the November 2018 general election for Wasatch County Sheriff. Rigby had been serving as Chief Deputy in the county to Sheriff Todd Bonner previously. At Monday’s swearing-in service over a hundred people crowded into the Wasatch County Daughter of the Utah Pioneer Museum on Heber’s Main Street to see Sheriff Rigby and his staff be sworn-in. Sheriff Rigby was sworn-in by Fourth District Court Judge Thomas Low. The celebration became somber as those in attendance turned their thoughts to Joseph Shinners and his family. The Provo police officer was killed on Saturday evening in a shootout.

“I have been thinking about the role of each one of you. It’s a shame, I’ll admit, that we need you. We shouldn’t need law enforcement officers. It’s a shame that once we have you, you have to take your life in your hands every time you put on your uniform. When a law enforcement officer is killed in the line of duty, we always lose one of our best.”

Following his swearing-in Sheriff Rigby went around the room and swore in the rest of the Sheriff Department’s staff. Wasatch County Councilman Kendall Crittenden said that he was excited about Sheriff Rigby’s election and thought the event was very appropriate.

“I thought this was pretty exciting. This was a great venue, a little crowded, but as they pointed out its under the photographs of people who have made our valley what it is. It was a great place to do it I think.”

In Sheriff Rigby’s closing remarks, he thanked his family and previous Wasatch County Sheriffs that had influenced him. Retiring Wasatch Sheriff Todd Bonner reported he was confident in his replacement’s abilities.

“He will do an amazing job. The knowledge that he has, both with the law enforcement background, his attorney stuff. He will be unbelievable on the decisions that he makes, the people that he will be able to touch, the employees that he has. It’s the greatest office in the state in my opinion.”

In addition to their swearing-in Sheriff Rigby also directed his staff and those in attendance to bring a donation to Heber’s Food Pantry, located next door. Pantry Leader Bryce Hendley was grateful for the support from the Sheriff’s Department.

“It’s really important. I think the sheriff’s department does a wonderful job around here and I think that we’re all in this together. If we can help them out in any way and if they can help us out it just makes our community a little bit a better place.”

Sheriff Rigby said he looked forward to continuing his service alongside the staff of his department.

“It’s a neat thing to be with all of the deputies and everyone that serves in our office today. There’s almost 100 of us. We so much appreciate the good relationships that we have in the community. That’s really the biggest key to keeping everyone safe and so we’d love to keep doing that. We want to keep serving.”

KPCW live-streamed the event on Facebook. Part one of the event linked here, and part two here.

KPCW reporter David Boyle covers all things in the Heber Valley as well as sports and breaking news.
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