Delta » Wispy clouds stretched across a tangerine-colored, Great Basin sky in this hardscrabble farming and industrial power plant town of 3,200 residents on a warm and windless January evening.

As the sunset faded to blackness and stars emerged, friends, family and strangers gathered by the dozens Sunday in a mural-decorated, Millard County Fairgrounds building to pay tribute to 37-year-old Josie Fox, a Millard County sheriff's deputy killed early Tuesday in the line of duty.

A line that wound its way through a maze inside the large building and stretched for more than a block on the outside for Fox's viewing contained law enforcement officers from around the state who came to pay their respects to one of their own, shot and killed while investigating a suspected drug sale on a remote road in this quiet corner of Utah's west desert.

Taylorsville Police Chief Del Craig, wearing the traditional sign of mourning in the form of a black band across his badge, said he didn't know Fox. But that really didn't matter. He said this was a time to show gratitude and respect while reflecting "on our own safety and community."

One sheriff drove all the way from Bozeman, Mont., to attend the ceremony. Representatives from numerous law enforcement agencies across Utah waited quietly in line for Sunday's viewing.

Fox was the 129th Utah police officer and only second woman to die in the line of duty, a fact that seemed to hit this close-knit community hard in recent days.

Flags flew at half staff throughout town. The sign on the Subway restaurant read "Fallen heroes never leave our hearts," and the sign at the McDonald's restaurant read "RIP Officer Josie."

Eric Eberle, a member of the Millard County Sherifff's Department who worked with Fox, said "it's really hard not to be emotional."

Inside the hall, flowers lined much of one wall. As mourners quietly waited, music played and scenes from Fox's life were projected on a screen.

Gloria Greathouse, a cousin, drove from Las Vegas for Sunday's viewing and Monday morning's funeral.

"There were a lot of tears and a lot of memories," she said. "It was not as bad as I thought it would be. We talked about memories when we were younger. She liked hunting, baseball and was into four-wheeling."

The line reflected the diversity of a community. Some wore Sunday best clothing, others cowboy hats and jeans. Jonnie Day, of St. George, waited in line on crutches, her leg in a brace. One girl with green hair waited. There were wheelchairs and baby strollers. The line kept growing until finally it shortened. By 7:30 p.m., it still stretched outside. The viewing was scheduled to end at 8 p.m.

Most everyone had a story about the fallen law enforcement officer.

"Josie was like a second mom to my son," said Penny Young, of Delta. "She was always there for him no matter what."

Sherry Partridge of Delta said she has known Fox since she was 15 and said Fox's mother Cindy used to fix her hair.

"She related to kids at their own level," Partridge said.

Young added that the deceased law enforcement officer, who was a mother of two and a stepmother to two other children, related to students more as a friend and a great mentor than as an authority figure.

"You are going to have people from all over the state and not just the city and county," said Pete Madsen of Delta. "She grew up with my kids. I worked with her dad [Russ Greathouse] at Sahara Motors. She's a fantastic lady and the Lord will take care of her."

Roberto Miramontes Roman has been arrested and charged with capital aggravated murder in connection with the shooting. Prosecutors have said they will seek the death penalty.

wharton@sltrib.com