Aaron Beesley
"A Life Dedicated to Helping Others"
A Lifetime of Service
Trooper Aaron Beesley lived a life full of helping everyone around him. His service for others didn’t begin when he was sworn-in as a Utah Highway Patrol Trooper, but actually many years earlier.
Aaron wasn’t much of a student when it came to public school subjects, however when it came to something he wanted to learn, he would perfect his knowledge with that subject. This was very apparent as he decided he wanted to learn about amateur radios. After receiving his license, he began volunteering with local radio clubs as they assisted fire crews during wildfire season. This continued for his three years of high school.
Following high school, Aaron served in the Oakland California Mission for two years. Despite initial worries about learning a foreign language, he adapted quickly. His first companion was from the Philippines and spoke no English, forcing Aaron to learn quickly. He returned home fluent in Spanish and with a deep appreciation for the vast cultural diversity he experienced in Oakland.
From The Capitol to The Canyon
Aaron returned home and immediately started the Weber State Police academy. He knew before his mission he wanted to be in law enforcement. Upon graduation, he accepted his dream job with the Utah Highway Patrol.
He began his service at the Utah State Capitol before transferring to Weber County—the area where he had completed his field training. While assigned to Weber, he was instrumental in the Highway Patrol’s technology initiatives, helping move the patrol cars to computers and implementing new software programs.
Later, seeking a lifestyle change, he and his family relocated to Bear River City, and Aaron transferred to Box Elder County. Here, he experienced the full breadth of patrol work: recovering kidnapping victims, managing hostage situations, and his all-time favorite task—landing Life Flight and providing essential medical care to those in need.
The Dream Job: Aviation
Aaron had a profound love for aviation. It is an expensive hobby, but Aaron loved it so much that he learned all he could about aircraft, placing himself in situations where his knowledge would be useful. He possessed a valuable skill set that was soon recognized by his peers.
Because of this specialized knowledge, he was asked to become a Tactical Flight Officer (TFO) for the Utah Highway Patrol. This was the culmination of his professional dreams. He loved being a cop, but he loved being a cop that worked directly with aviation, EMS, and Search and Rescue personnel. It brought everything he loved into one spot.
End of Watch: June 30, 2012
On June 30, 2012, Trooper Aaron Beesley was participating in a search and rescue mission for two missing hikers along the Mount Olympus Trail in Salt Lake County. The team located the hikers, and Trooper Beesley exited the helicopter to provide necessary aid.
The two hikers were successfully airlifted to safety while Aaron stayed behind at the scene. When the helicopter returned to pick him up, Aaron could not be located. A short time later, he was discovered at the bottom of a 90-foot cliff. Search and Rescue crews were able to reach him, but he had already succumbed to his injuries.
Never Forgotten
Trooper Aaron Beesley served with the Utah Highway Patrol for over 12 years. He was 34 years old at the time of his death.
He is survived by his wife Kristie Dyer Beesley and his three sons, Austin, Derek, and Preston. He left a lasting impression and touched the lives of countless people. Aaron will truly never be forgotten.