Funeral services held for fallen Ogden police officer Nate Lyday

OGDEN — Flags were flown at half-mast in Utah today as the procession to Linquist field started for the funeral of fallen officer Nate Lyday.

People were encouraged to line the route for the funeral procession from Linquist field to the cemetery but not to attend the funeral.  

Family and friends somberly entered the field some people wearing black and blue facemasks.

Chief Randy Watt of the Ogden police department started by saying officer Nate Lyday made the ultimate sacrifice serving his community.

 

Talks from the procession

Nancy Lyday Nate’s mother spoke about her son saying Nathan stood for what was right.

She said that he wrote a poem when he was a child that was called, “If I were in charge of the world.” In it, he said he would get rid of broccoli and get rid of bullies. 

Nathan couldn’t stand contention and he could come into any situation and calm it down she said.

After a tearful goodby to her son, she said, “In a world full of hate, be the light.”

Andrew Lyday Nate’s father spoke next said Nate loved his family and loved to be with them and anybody that knew Nate very long enjoyed his love of soccer.

He recounted a fond memory of Nathan taking a suitcase to the airport with him even though he wasn’t flying. When the bag was checked his father explained that he just wanted to be a big boy. 

After giving several examples of the support the family has seen in their community, Andrew Lyday saic, “although there may be a great deal of ager from protests this community does support Nate.” 

Cody Lyday, Nate’s brother, spoke next and said, “Nate truly was the tie that binds our family.” Talking about his brother he said, “He had love for everyone and everything around him.”

“If there was a time that we should ever come together as a community, this is it,” he said. 

Fellow Ogden Officer Dylan Aeschlimann spoke of their close friendship and career goals that they had. He said that his passion and dream was to work with the dogs in the K9 unit.

Aeschlimann said that Lyday spoke often of his wife and never had any complaints other than he couldn’t get enough of her cooking. 

Recounting the day of Lyday’s death Aeschlimann said that on that Thursday Nate served. “On that day the world lost a hero,” he said.

Officer Todd Shobe spoke about his character saying, ” you would be hard-pressed to find someone who didn’t like him.”

He said, “because of his service, he gave the ultimate sacrifice and is now at peace.”

Utah’s Governor honors fallen officer Nathan Lyday

The final speaker during the procession was Governor Gary Herbert, saying that Nathan’s end of watch on May 28th came all too soon.

“People across the state and beyond share a broken heart at this time,” Herbert said. “We should, in fact, bear one another’s burdens that they be made light.”

After the remarks from family, friends, and Governor Herbert, Chief Watt honored officer Nate Lyday with the police star award for his services rendered on the 28th of May. Shortly after this the procession continued as they moved Lyday’s casket from the stadium to the cemetery.