West Jordan Police Leader Named ‘Chief of the Year’”
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est Jordan Police Chief Doug Diamond will be awarded the Chief of the Year for a large jurisdiction by the Utah Chiefs of Police Association. He will receive the honor at the association’s awards banquet in St. George on March 25. In a letter of recommendation from Interim City Manager Bryce Haderlie, he said Diamond “is held in high regard by his employees, thanks in part to his willingness to hold himself and those around him accountable, and not ask anything of his people that he is not willing to do himself.” Diamond joined the department in December 2011 after retiring from the Sacramento County Sheriff’s Office in California, where he held the rank of captain as a contracted chief of police for the city. When he took over the WJPD command, the department was in a transition phase. So he worked to help the department regain its confidence and respect for leadership, Haderlie said.
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By Tom Haraldsen
“Chief Diamond has orchestrated an upgrade of the organization, both in command and personnel restructuring, as well as the improved use of technology,” the city manager wrote in his letter of recommendation. “His work has prepared our police department for the challenges that lay ahead.” Diamond, like many of his peers in Utah, has been actively involved each year in the Utah Legislature sessions. He has partnered with organizations like the South Valley Sanctuary, and has become a strong advocate for domestic violence victims in the community. He is also active in the West Jordan Exchange Club. “In my judgment, Chief Diamond represents law enforcement in a positive and professional way that ensures our community is adequately protected,” Haderlie said, “all while maintaining the support of our residents. I want to share my appreciation to Chief Diamond for his dedication to the city and his department.” l
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Corner Canyon Duo Earn Academic All-State Honors
pair of Corner Canyon High School athletes became the latest Chargers to be recognized for their efforts in sports and the classroom. Riley Ogden and Zane Rasmussen were named to their respective sport’s Academic AllState teams. Ogden received his as a member of the basketball team, and Rasmussen was honored for wrestling. Academic All-State awards are given to athletes with the highest grade point averages in each high school sport. Both Ogden and Rasmussen have a perfect 4.0 grade point average. Ogden, son of Gary and Tara Ogden of Draper, has been on the varsity basketball team for the two seasons Corner Canyon has been open. He previously played on Alta’s sophomore team. He also ran track last year for the Chargers. But his main sport has always been football, where he was the workhorse of the offense. Playing in the running back position, Ogden amassed 1,810 yards and 16 touchdowns his senior season alone. He was named to the first team All-State football team for 4A. Although he was a shoe-in to receive Academic All-State honors for football as well as basketball, a glitch kept him from getting the award. “There was a problem with the application we sent in, so I missed out on the award,” Ogden said. Playing at the varsity level in three different sports can be
taxing on a student’s time. How was Ogden able to do it and still maintain a 4.0 GPA? “Sleep is expendable,” Ogden said. “It is not a priority to me. If I ever had to give up something, it was always sleep. I put in a lot of long nights because my studies are important to me.” Rasmussen has wrestled at Corner Canyon for two years, and was on the Alta wrestling team as a freshman and sophomore. He finished second in region in 2014 and made it to the state playoffs in the 138 lb. weight class. He moved to the 145 lb. class this year, placing fourth in divisionals and sixth in state. The following week he finished fourth in the super state meet, which pits wrestlers of all school classes against each other. The son of James and Melody Rasmussen of Draper credits his work ethic for his perfect grades. “It is difficult at times to stay on top of everything,” Rasmussen said. “You have to mange your time. School came easy for me, so that made it easier to manage school and wrestling.” Both athletes are planning on serving an LDS mission following graduation. Rasmussen is planning on attending BYU after his mission, and has his studies set on either accounting or business. Ogden is deciding between BYU and Utah State, leaning towards an engineering degree. “But that’s not set in stone,” Ogden said. l
q u o ta b l e c o m m u n i t y :
“No one is immune from my aggressive approach to activities.
At the gym, I’ll casually glance at the screen on the stairclimber next to mine to see how hard that person is working.” page 15
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