After suffering burns while trying to stop a suicidal man from lighting himself on fire, one Kaysville police officer remains in hospitalized.
Officer Robert Jackson, 26, is expected to spend a total of two weeks at the University Hospital burn unit. He was admitted there Thursday after he and three other officers responded to a man who entered a Chevron gas station store and doused himself with gasoline.
As the officers tried to get a lighter from the man’s hand, the man lit himself on fire. Jackson, along with Sgt. Shawn McKinnon and officers Lacy Turner and Cade Bradshaw suffered burn injuries.
McKinnon, Turner and Bradshaw were released from the hospital, and as of Saturday McKinnon and Turner had returned to duty.
But Jackson received more extensive burns, requiring longer hospitalization. An update on the condition of the suicidal man was not immediately available.
A crowd-funding page has been set up for Jackson, seeking $50,000.
When reached Saturday, Chief Sol Oberg said the officers did not want to speak with the media about what happened to them. But despite remaining quiet, the community has reached out to the department to show support.
The Kaysville police Facebook page includes multiple posts from the department thanking the community for well wishes, and includes two posts of cards of support drawn by local children.
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