In the quiet town of Tremonton, Utah, a Sunday night call shattered the calm, plunging a close-knit community into grief. On August 17, 2025, what began as a routine response to a domestic disturbance escalated into a horrifying tragedy that left two Tremonton-Garland police officers dead, a sheriff’s deputy wounded, and a police K-9 fighting for its life. The suspect, identified as 33-year-old Ryan Michael Bate, now sits in Weber County Jail, facing charges of aggravated murder and assault, as a devastated town grapples with loss and searches for answers.
It was just after 9 p.m. when multiple 911 hang-up calls came from a home near 700 North and 200 East, a stone’s throw from North Park Elementary School. A lone Tremonton-Garland officer arrived first, approaching the residence with caution. As he spoke with someone at the home, Bate emerged, armed and unyielding. Without warning, he opened fire, cutting down the officer in a hail of bullets. The officer, later identified as Lee Sorensen, fell—a hero struck down in the line of duty.
Moments later, a second officer arrived to back up his comrade. But before he could act, Bate turned his weapon on him, firing with ruthless intent. The second officer, whose name has not yet been released, also succumbed to his wounds. The brutality didn’t end there. As a Box Elder County sheriff’s deputy pulled up with his K-9 partner, Bate fired into their patrol vehicle, wounding both. The deputy and his loyal canine were rushed to a hospital, where they were reported in fair condition by Monday morning, clinging to hope amidst the chaos.
The scene was one of unimaginable horror, yet glimmers of humanity shone through. Bystanders, risking their own safety, confronted Bate, pleading with him to lay down his weapon. Their courage prevailed, and Bate surrendered, allowing authorities to take him into custody. With the situation volatile and the possibility of further threats looming, SWAT teams and multiple agencies descended on the home, clearing it to ensure no additional danger remained.
As the dust settled, a grim picture of Bate’s past emerged. Court records paint a troubling portrait of a man with a history of violence. In May 2024, at the very same address where this tragedy unfolded, Bate was charged with aggravated assault and domestic violence in the presence of a child. According to reports, he had broken a chair in a fit of rage, grabbed a victim by the throat, thrown her onto a couch, and locked her out of their home. The chilling detail that young children and firearms were present in the residence added weight to the incident. The victim revealed a similar unreported assault had occurred just a week prior, her silence driven by a desperate wish to keep her family intact. Those charges, like earlier ones for assault and disorderly conduct in October 2021, were dismissed—a fact that now haunts the community.
The Brigham City Police Department, speaking for a reeling community, called the loss a tragedy that reverberates far beyond Tremonton’s borders. “These officers and their families served theirs every day,” their statement read, “and they will forever be remembered as heroes.” The words carry the weight of a town in mourning, a state in shock, and a nation reminded of the sacrifices made by those who protect.
Now, as Weber County officials lead the homicide investigation, Ryan Michael Bate remains behind bars, charged with two counts of aggravated murder and one count of assault. The community of Tremonton, a small town of about 10,000 nestled 75 miles north of Salt Lake City, holds its breath, honoring the fallen and praying for the wounded. Lee Sorensen’s name echoes as a symbol of bravery, while the second officer’s identity awaits release, a solemn reminder of the cost of duty. In the face of such loss, Tremonton stands united, vowing to remember its heroes forever.