WASHINGTON - Utah's Sen. Orrin Hatch on Thursday commended the off-duty Ogden police officer who confronted a gunman at Salt Lake City's Trolley Square and likely prevented more deaths in the rampage that killed five people and wounded four.
   In comments inserted into Congress' official record, Hatch called officer Kenneth Hammond a hero who acted selflessly to save lives.
   “Without a moment's hesitation, Officer Hammond put the needs of our community first before any thought for his own safety or well-being,” Hatch said in written comments. “There is no question his heroic acts saved countless other lives that could have been lost on that tragic evening.”
   Hatch also praised the actions of other law enforcement officers who quickly killed the assailant.
   Kenny Antrobus, whose daughter Vanessa Quinn was killed, called on Hatch to recognize Hammond.
   “I would figure 50 more families [would have been] destroyed like mine if it were not for Ken Hammond who endangered his family and himself to stop any further shooting,” Antrobus wrote in comments to The Salt Lake Tribune. “That is above and beyond the call of duty.
   “There could have been so many more like me right now if it were not for [an] off-duty policeman [who] ran to the problem instead of away from it,” Antrobus said.
   Kenny and Sue Antrobus and two other daughters were set to travel from Cincinnati to Utah today to join Richard Quinn, Vanessa's husband, in mourning her loss.
   tburr@sltrib.com