‘Hero and a miracle,’ neighbor credits Box Elder County Deputy with saving his life

BRIGHAM CITY — Manuel Nieto said he’d just spoken with his next-door neighbor, Deputy Mike Allred, Sunday afternoon, only to realize later that he’d been injured in a deadly officer-involved shooting in Tremonton later that same night.

“In the afternoon, we were talking this football stuff, you know, just neighborly stuff,” Nieto recalled.

Later learning that Allred had been credited as a hero for calling out warnings to other first responders that night, Nieto said he was not surprised to hear of his neighbor’s bravery.

“This is the kind of person he is,” Nieto said.

Allred and his K9, Azula, were both injured when responding to what had come down as an active shooter situation Sunday night. Moments earlier, Sergeant Lee Sorensen and Officer Eric Estrada had both been shot and ultimately killed in front of the Tremonton home, responding to what they understood to be a domestic disturbance. Nieto, however, said he first saw Allred as a hero around a year ago.

“He was off duty,” Nieto said. “He was being human, you know, saved my life.”

Nieto said he suffered a massive stroke while standing inside his garage.

“And there was family here and my friends and they all ran out,” Nieto explained. “And he, on his own, came in. He basically saved my life.”

Nieto said he doesn’t remember much, but understands Allred administered CPR.

“I mean, he carried me, literally,” Nieto said. “Put me in his own vehicle (and) got me to where I need to go.”

Nieto said his recovery has been difficult, even though he’s now able to talk and walk unassisted again. He believes that without Allred’s quick aid, he might not have survived.

“He didn’t have to do what he did,” he said.

Related: 2 officers, deputy involved in deadly Tremonton shooting credited with saving lives