DPS NEWS

Injured Trooper Update

Trooper Steve (Odie)  Myer

On Tuesday, February 13, 2024 at approximately 10:24 am, Trooper Steve (Odie) Myer was injured during a spike deployment while assisting Salt Lake City Police Officers who had attempted to stop a driver during a drug investigation.  That driver fled from officers prompting a multi-agency response.  During that incident, Trooper Myer fell from an overpass at 7200 West near I-80 onto a dirt road below.  Trooper Myer was attended to by officers from multiple agencies.  The DPS helicopter was in the area assisting with the original incident, and landed at the fall location.  They transported Trooper Myer to an area hospital in serious condition.  Full details of this incident are still under investigation. (for a full statement, please see the joint press release issued by the Utah Department of Public Safety and the Salt Lake Police Department)  

Trooper Myer is in stable condition at this time, and has received the best medical treatment possible.  He will have a long road to recovery but is expected to recover from this incident.  Due to his serious injuries further medical treatment will be required. Trooper Myer has had amazing medical staff who are seeing to his ongoing care.

Trooper Myer has worked for the Utah Highway Patrol for over 34 years.  He has served in a variety of assignments ranging from road Trooper to Lieutenant.  Other assignments that Trooper Myer has held during his career include: Governor Leavitt’s security detail, DPS SERT Team, Traffic Planning Coordinator for the 2002 Winter Olympics, and Emergency Vehicle Operations instructor. Trooper Myer retired from the UHP in 2006 but later returned in 2010.  Since his return, he is currently serving as a UHP motors coordinator helping to direct motors enforcement and activities around the State of Utah. Trooper Myer is recognized throughout the state as a leading expert in motor officer training, high profile escorts, and motorcycle enforcement operations.

The Utah Highway Patrol would like to thank everyone who has assisted and offered their support during this trying time for the UHP family.  We appreciate the quick action by fellow UHP Troopers, SBI Agents, Salt Lake City Officers, DPS Air Crew members, and other surrounding agencies whose assistance helped get him the life saving care he needed. We express our deepest gratitude to everyone who has extended so much support to Trooper Myer and his family, as well as the Utah Highway Patrol.