Members of the West Jordan Police Department are remembering Officer Jedediah “JR” Steadman, who was found deceased in his truck at the base of a cliff in Sevier County on Jan. 4. The discovery came after a five-day search for the veteran officer, who left his home on Dec. 30 after a reported argument with a member of his family.

 The 34-year-old Steadman had worked for the WJPD for seven years and was an avid outdoorsman who loved to fish and hunt, according to department spokesman Dan Roberts. At the time of his disappearance, family members expressed concern that he might be stranded in a remote area. That proved to be the case when his 1998 Dodge pickup truck was found just west of Emery City.

Members of the Search and Rescue teams from Emery and Sevier Counties, as well as the Emery Fire Department and sheriff’s deputies from both counties participated in a search for Steadman and his vehicle. The Sevier County Sheriff’s office said it appeared that Steadman had missed a turn and went off the road and over the side of a cliff.

Law enforcement personnel gathered for Steadman’s funeral, paying tribute to a man who had been active in community events, including riding in last summer’s July 4th parade.

“Officer Steadman served the community faithfully and professionally for seven years,” Police Chief Doug Diamond said. “His loss will be felt by his fellow officers, family and friends.”

“We will warmly remember Officer Steadman for his many years of dedicated service to the community,” Roberts said in a department release. “Today, we lost another one of our own.”