3 suspects in custody after Utah police officer is killed

 “Our hearts are heavy with his loss,” the department tweeted.

Brotherson has been with the West Valley police force since December 2013, the statement said. He grew up in West Valley City and leaves behind a fiancee, two brothers and his parents, the statement said.

According to the statement, officers witnessed three people heading to an apartment complex and stealing a car from the parking lot. The suspects fled and police pursued the car.

Brotherson was outside of his vehicle attempting to deploy tire spikes when he was hit by the suspects in the vehicle, the statement said.

This is the first death in the line of duty for the West Valley Police Department since the department was formed in 1980, according to the statement.