WASHINGTON — The House Committee on Oversight and Reform passed legislation introduced by Congressman Burgess Owens (UT-04) to rename the Santaquin Post Office in honor of Sergeant Bill Dean Hooser of the Santaquin City Police Department, who was killed in the line of duty on May 5, 2024. 

“Sgt. Bill Hooser made the ultimate sacrifice in the line of duty on May 5, 2024, and Utahns will never forget,” said Rep. Burgess Owens. “Renaming the Santaquin Post Office in his honor is a lasting tribute to his courageous service and unwavering commitment to our state, ensuring that Sgt. Hooser’s legacy lives on for generations to come. May God continue to comfort the Hooser family and watch over our law enforcement community.”

“I am deeply honored to commemorate the bravery and sacrifice of Sgt. Hooser by renaming this post office in his memory,” said Rep. John Curtis. “This act serves as a lasting tribute to his dedication to the Santaquin community and to all of Utah’s law enforcement officers who risk their lives daily to protect our communities. May this serve as a constant reminder of his service and sacrifice.”

“Utahns across the state grieved the loss of Sgt. Bill Hooser, who lost his life in the line of duty while serving his community,” said Rep. Blake Moore. “This bill will provide a way for Utahns in Santaquin to remember Sgt. Hooser and his family, along with law enforcement families across the nation who are forever changed by senseless tragedies like this. I am grateful this legislation passed the Committee on Oversight and Accountability as we continue to honor and remember Sgt. Hooser and support the men and women in blue.”

“Sgt. Bill Dean Hooser embodied the best values of Utah law enforcement during his time with the Santaquin police force,” said Rep. Celeste Maloy. “I’m proud to see our legislation to rename the Santaquin post office in his honor one step closer to final passage in the House. The Sgt. Bill Dean Hooser Post Office Building will be a reminder of his service and the sacrifices he made to keep his community safe.”

Background:

The legislation would rename the Santaquin Post Office as the SGT Bill Hooser Post Office Building. 

Sgt. Hooser entered law enforcement with the San Juan County Sheriff’s Office in New Mexico and joined the Santaquin City Police Department in 2017. Bill was promoted from Corporal to Sergeant in February. On May 5, 2024, Sgt. Hooser was struck and killed by a tractor-trailer whose operator was fleeing a traffic stop on Interstate 15 near mile marker 244 in Santaquin. He is survived by his spouse of 29 years, two daughters, and one granddaughter. His passing is the first line-of-duty death in Utah since 2020. 

Owens is joined by the Utah House Delegation as original co-sponsors, Representatives John Curtis (UT-03), Blake Moore (UT-01), and Celeste Maloy (UT-01).

The full text of the legislation is available here. 

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