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New Officers for Cottonwood Heights

May 05, 2016 11:52AM ● By Bryan Scott

By Cassandra Goff | [email protected]

Cottonwood Heights - On Tuesday, March 29, during a city council business meeting at Cottonwood Heights City Hall, Braden Wyatt was sworn in as a Cottonwood Heights Police (CHP) officer.

The room was full of family members, friends and fellow officers. Many conversations flew through the room as the council members took their seats at the podium. Mayor Kelvyn Cullimore began by asking everyone to stand for the Pledge of Allegiance. The room fell silent as everyone stood to recite the pledge. A lone voice led additional voices to follow in repeating the well-rehearsed words. After everyone returned to their seat, Robby Russo, Cottonwood Heights Police Chief, stood to introduce the new recruit. 

He gestured to Detective Wyatt, Braden’s father and thanked him for being there.

“Braden has gone through training at an accelerated rate,” Russo began to introduce the young police officer, continually looking back at Detective Wyatt.  

“We’ve never had a bad experience from the kid,” he continued. Family ties are increasingly more common within police departments.

“It will be hard for him to do things well, especially when his dad is so extraordinary,” Russo joked to the council members before stepping aside.

Detective Wyatt and Braden, father and son, took their place beside the podium. Detective Wyatt pinned a badge to his son’s uniform, swearing him into the same police department. 

After applause, Mayor Cullimore asked Braden to tell the audience about himself. 

He stood behind a microphone as he explained how the men in his family have all been involved with law enforcement. His grandfather, father and both of his uncles have worked in blue uniforms. 

Growing up in Murray for twenty years, Braden feels he can do a great job within Cottonwood Heights. He “hopes to find somewhere closer to live.”

As Detective Wyatt and Officer Wyatt took their seats, Russo explained that Braden will be on reserve for the next three months. 

“We are thrilled to have him,” Mayor Cullimore concluded.

On Tuesday, April 12, Kevin Salmon was sworn in as a Cottonwood Heights Police Officer, during the business meeting at 7pm.

The meeting room, usually only occupied by empty chairs, filled with conversation. Many Cottonwood Heights Police Officers were joking with one other in back of the room, some in uniform, some without. A voice from their radios began echoing through the room, interrupting many conversations. Almost instantaneously, they reached down to lower the volume on the devices, showing support to the new officer and his family.

As the council members took their seats, the room became mostly silent. Mayor Cullimore asked Robby Russo to introduce the newest CHP officer, Kevin Salmon. 

“Kevin has great experience,” Russo said. He turned around to face Salmon’s family. “His mom actually thanked us for taking him, but we are really getting the better end of the deal. We promise to send him home safe. It takes a family to support a police officer. It’s a hard life for the family members, as well as the officer.”

 Russo then stood aside so Salmon and his son could join him at the front of the room. 

Salmon’s son, Carson, barely stood below Kevin’s knees. Russo helped the boy find hold of the badge. Kevin kneeled down so Carson could reach the appropriate place on his ironed uniform.

After applause from the audience, Salmon introduced the rest of his family, who stood nervously in front of the crowded room. The all smiled as they were introduced, before returning to their seats.

As Salmon turned to join them, Cullimore asked, “Why don’t you tell us a little bit about yourself?”

Cullimore laughed from Salmon’s reactions, “They didn’t warn you about that?”

“No, they didn’t,” Salmon laughed as he shot a smirked glance to his coworkers. 

Kevin is the third generation in his family to wear a blue uniform. His dad worked as an officer in West Valley and his grandfather retired from the Pennsylvania police.

 “I worked in West Valley for nine years and in Woods Cross for one and a half.”

“This is a great community and a great city,” he said. “There is a respect for law enforcement within the city.” 

 “I’m excited to ride those beautiful Harleys in the summertime and enjoy the nice weather,” Salmon said.