For his actions in responding to an active shooter at a Salt Lake City mall while off duty, Master Officer Ken Hammond of the Ogden City (Utah) Police Department has been named Officer of the Month for April 2007 by the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund. The incident is detailed in the May issue of Police Magazine.

Hammond and his wife were at the Trolley Station Mall in Salt Lake City for an early Valentine’s Day dinner on Feb. 12 when the off-duty officer heard what he thought was construction work. When he went to investigate, he saw bloodied bodies and a young man carrying a shotgun and a .38 caliber pistol.

Hammond identified himself to mall patrons and tried to engage the shooter while attempting to preserve the lives of others at the mall. The shooter barricaded himself in a store and took one person hostage. Throughout the incident, Hammond did his best to prevent further loss of life, and aided uniformed officers when they arrived on scene until the situation was resolved with gunfire that ended the shooter’s life. The hostage survived.

Master Officer Hammond continues to serve and protect with the Ogden City Police Department. He is married and has one child, and one on the way. He has received numerous commendations for his heroic actions on that fateful day at the Trolley Station Mall. He has received 20 Excellent Work Awards, an Employee of the Month Award, a Distinguished Unit Citation, and a Lifesaving Medal for an incident from June 2003. Master Officer Hammond is a member of the Ogden City Police Benevolent Association.

Read “Shots Fired” in the May issue of Police Magazine to read an account of the mall shooting from Hammond’s perspective.