City Council Recognizes Deputies After Missing Child Found Safe

During the May 5, 2026 City Council meeting, Sgt. Hickman, Deputy Breuning, and Deputy Gilstrap of the Utah County Sheriff’s Office Eagle Mountain Division were recognized for their role in safely locating an Eagle Mountain resident’s missing daughter earlier this spring.

In March, the resident’s daughter was reported missing, prompting an immediate response from the Utah County Sheriff’s Office. Deputies arrived shortly after the call and quickly organized a coordinated search, deploying K-9 units, heat-seeking drones, and additional personnel. Alerts were also sent out through news outlets and reverse 911 calls to notify the public.

Thanks to the swift response and tips from the community, the child was found safe within a few hours.

Following the incident, the resident submitted a heartfelt letter to Utah County Sheriff Mike Smith expressing her gratitude for the response. During the council meeting, Chief Deputy Erik Knutzen read portions of the letter aloud, sharing the resident’s words of thanks for the speed, precision, and professionalism shown by the deputies, as well as the steady communication she received throughout the search. The letter described how the response “made an immeasurable difference during a time of intense fear and uncertainty.”

Chief Deputy Knutzen also emphasized that this kind of coordinated response is the norm, not the exception, for the Utah County Sheriff’s Office Eagle Mountain Division, and expressed his pride in the deputies who served the family during such a difficult moment.

The City Council’s recognition celebrates both the safe return of the child and the dedicated efforts of law enforcement and community members who came together when it mattered most.