Utah Highway Patrol, Utah
End of Watch: Saturday, June 30, 2012
Age: 34
Tour of Duty: 13 years
Badge Number: 253
Cause of Death: Fall
Date of Incident: June 30, 2012
Weapon Used: Not available
Suspect Info: Not available
Trooper Aaron Beesley died after falling from a cliff while performing a search and rescue mission in Salt Lake County.
Trooper Beesley, a tactical flight officer for the agency, had been assisting in the search for two missing teenage hikers along the Mount Olympus Trail. The helicopter located the two, and Trooper Beesley was placed on the ground to assist them. As the two were airlifted to safety Trooper Beesley was left at the scene.
When the helicopter returned to retrieve Trooper Beesley, he could not be located. He was located at the bottom of a 90-foot cliff a short time later. Ground-based rescue crews reached his location approximately 45 minutes later. It is believed he was attempting to retrieve a backpack when he fell from the trail.
Trooper Beesley had served with the Utah Highway Patrol for 13 years. He is survived by his wife and three children.