By Linda Thomson
Deseret News staff writer

      A steady stream of motorcycles and squad cars wound its way to a Sandy cemetery Saturday as a last tribute to Police Chief Sam Dawson who was laid to rest after an emotional two-hour funeral.

Pallbearers carry the casket of Sandy Police Chief Sam Dawson at a cemetery in Sandy. Dawson died in a motorcycle accident Monday. He became police chief in 1994. Chuck Wing, Deseret News

      Hundreds of police officers, both local and from afar, as well as firefighters, civic leaders and friends, turned out to say farewell to the Sandy chief. Dawson, 56, died in a motorcycle accident July 2.
      The service was held in the Jordan High School auditorium filled with uniformed officers and civilians. Those who couldn't be in the auditorium observed the service in an overflow area in another room.
      "We are celebrating a great life," said Sandy Mayor Tom Dolan, one of Dawson's many friends. "I know beyond a doubt where Sam is today. He is in Paradise."
      Dolan said he didn't realize how much he had lost ÷ how much everyone had lost ÷ until the day after the accident. "I hadn't lost a friend. I had lost a brother."
      Although the mood was solemn and many shed tears, laughter often punctuated the service as speakers recalled Dawson's wit and sense of fun. At one point, Dolan asked the audience to gaze at the picture of Dawson on the printed funeral program. "That's the face that convinced me to buy a golf club membership instead of remodeling my wife's kitchen," Dolan said as the audience chuckled.

Brigitte Dawson walks with her sons Sam, left, and Chris. Hundreds of officers attended the service for her husband. Chuck Wing, Deseret News

      One speaker after another recalled how devoted Dawson was to the community, to his police officers and most of all, to his family. "He would always say, 'The reason for my success is because of my perfect family,' " recalled West Jordan Police Chief Kenneth McGuire.
      McGuire also praised Dawson's "servant-leadership style" that McGuire said begins with a desire to serve that evolves into effective leadership ÷ a contrast to those who jump into top positions because they lust for power. McGuire also remembered how Dawson would let others get the attention and praise for a new idea even if it was Dawson's.
      Bob Wright, Snow College chief of police who formerly worked with Dawson, recalled how hard it was to leave Sandy and his boss. But when Wright decided to take the new job, Dawson was supportive. "What was first in his mind was what was best for me, not for him. He was unselfish," Wright said.
      Wright quoted Matthew 5:16: "Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father which is in heaven."

Police officers from all over the state ride to the interment for Sandy Police Chief Sam Dawson at Larkin Sunset Gardens. The chief was eulogized for his "servant-leadership style." Chuck Wing, Deseret News

      "Chief Sam Dawson let his light so shine, and we all have been affected by his light and his example," Wright said. "Brothers and sisters, we can keep Sam's light lit by how we live and how we treat others."
      Richard J. Bergan, Sandy's director of animal services and a longtime friend, outlined Dawson's life and listed his many professional accomplishments.
      Dawson worked hard on a 20-year retirement program for police, strove to establish a protocol for handling officer-involved shootings, and worked to create a program involving spouses of police who have been involved in some serious incident.
      Bergan recalled the early years when the two of them were patrol officers with the Salt Lake County Sheriff's Office. Even then, Dawson displayed a gift for diplomacy, the ability to establish a rapport with people, and his respect for citizens' rights as well as strong loyalty to fellow officers.
      Dawson also was eminently pragmatic. "If you knew Sam, if there was a problem, he'd fix it or get it fixed," Bergan said.
      Dawson was the first of two Utah police chiefs to die this week. Roosevelt Police Chief Cecil Gurr was killed Friday night in the line of duty.

E-MAIL: lindat@desnews.com

      The funeral for Sandy Police Chief Sam Dawson will be Saturday at noon at Jordan High School auditorium, 9800 S. 100 East.
      There will be a viewing Friday from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Larkin Mortuary, 10600 S. 1700 East. There will also be a viewing from 10 to 11:30 a.m. Saturday at Jordan High School.

By Pat Reavy
Deseret News staff writer

      SANDY ÷ Law enforcement officers are mourning the loss of one of their own.
      Sandy Police Chief Sam Dawson was killed Monday night in a motorcycle accident near the border of Wasatch and Summit counties.

Sam Dawson

      Dawson, 56, was riding his maroon 2000 Harley Davidson on U-35 at 8:53 p.m. about 10 miles east of Woodland when a deer jumped over the guardrail onto the road as he rounded a turn.
      "I don't think he had a chance," Utah Highway Patrol Sgt. Ted Tingey said.
      The collision with the deer threw Dawson about 160 feet, Tingey said. His friend who was riding behind Dawson and several other witnesses rushed to his aid.
      Dawson was not wearing a helmet and suffered massive head trauma. An ambulance crew from South Summit pronounced him dead at the scene at 10 p.m., Tingey said.
      "He will be sorely missed," Sandy Police Lt. Kevin Thacker said. "His death leaves a void in the police department." Dawson's death was announced formally to city employees       Tuesday morning by Byron Jorgenson, Sandy's chief administrative officer. "It's a time of great sadness for Sandy City. Sam led with integrity and character." Under Dawson's direction, Sandy Police Department became nationally accredited, the only such department in Utah.
      Dawson had nearly 35 years of law enforcement experience. He started as an reserve officer with the Murray Police Department before becoming a deputy in the Salt Lake County Sheriff's Office in 1971.
      In 1977, he joined the Salt Lake County Attorney's Office and was chief investigator before becoming Sandy police chief in 1994.
      Salt Lake County Mayor Nancy Workman said she admired his leadership in the greater Salt Lake community and his vision for law enforcement valleywide. "All of us who knew him well will miss him very much."
      Beau Babka, South Salt Lake assistant police chief, said, "Dawson was the class of the class when it came to police officers and chiefs. Sandy is so far better off because of Dawson. All police departments in the valley are better off because of Sam Dawson. We looked up to him for leadership."
      "He was like the foundation for all the county chiefs," West Valley Police Chief Alan Kerstein said. "Sam was clearly the rock."
      Kerstein said since he moved to Utah in 2000, Dawson quickly became one of his closest friends. He credits Dawson for being his mentor as a police chief. "He kind of adopted me as a little brother," Kerstein said.
      Kerstein called Dawson's death a shock and a terrible loss.
      Dawson is survived by his wife, Brigette, two sons and a daughter, Angela. One of Dawson's sons, Sam Jr., is an officer with the Murray Police Department and the other, Christopher, is a firefighter for Sandy.
      Assistant Chief Ron Bullock will serve as acting chief until a new chief is chosen. "Sam made this a family. He went to bat 100 percent for us. He was constantly looking after the employees and making sure they had the tools to do their jobs."
      Funeral arrangements are pending. 

E-MAIL: preavy@desnews.com

http://deseretnews.com/dn/view/0,1249,295008438,00.html

By Pat Reavy
Deseret News staff writer

      SANDY ÷ Law enforcement officers are mourning the loss of one of their own.
      Sandy Police Chief Sam Dawson was killed Monday night in a motorcycle accident near the border of Wasatch and Summit counties.
      Dawson, 56, was riding his maroon 2000 Harley Davidson on U-35 at 8:53 p.m. about 10 miles east of Woodland when a deer jumped over the guardrail onto the road as he rounded a turn.
      "I don't think he had a chance," Utah Highway Patrol Sgt. Ted Tingey said.
      The collision with the deer threw Dawson about 160 feet, Tingey said. His friend who was riding behind Dawson and several other witnesses rushed to his aid.
      Dawson was not wearing a helmet and suffered massive head trauma. An ambulance crew from South Summit pronounced him dead at the scene at 10 p.m., Tingey said.
      "He will be sorely missed," Sandy Police Lt. Kevin Thacker said. "His death leaves a void in the police department."
      Dawson had nearly 35 years of law enforcement experience. He started as an reserve officer with the Murray Police Department before becoming a deputy in the Salt Lake County Sheriff's Office in 1971.
      In 1977, he joined the Salt Lake County Attorney's Office and was chief investigator before becoming Sandy police chief in 1994.
      "He was like the foundation for all the county chiefs," West Valley Police Chief Alan Kerstein said. "Sam was clearly the rock."
      Kerstein said since he moved to Utah in 2000, Dawson quickly became one of his closest friends. He credits Dawson for being his mentor as a police chief. "He kind of adopted me as a little brother," Kerstein said.
      Kerstein called Dawson's death a shock and a terrible loss.
      Dawson is survived by his wife, Brigette, two sons and a daughter, Angela. One of Dawson's sons, Sam Jr., is an officer with the Murray Police Department and the other, Christopher, is a firefighter for Sandy.
      Assistant Chief Ron Bullock will serve as acting chief until a new chief is chosen. 

E-MAIL: preavy@desnews.com