Utah police officer killed by wanted fugitive was from Boston area, police say

A police officer shot and killed in Utah had many ties to Massachusetts and was from the Boston area, police say.

Provo Police Officer Joseph Shinners, 29, was killed after being shot by a wanted fugitive who had made violent threats to officers in the past, Provo Police Chief Richard Ferguson said. He died at the Utah Valley Hospital just before midnight on Saturday night.

Officer Shinners came from a family of public service here in the Bay State.

One of his brothers a Haverhill Police Detective, while another recently left the Haverhill Police Department to serve in South Carolina.

His grieving father told Boston 25 News on Monday that while he always worries about his three sons, he never fathomed he would lose one of them.

"Joe was the kindest, most loving son a person could ever have," said John Shinners, a retired Everett fire captain who now lives in Florida.

He said that all three of his sons selflessly devoted their lives to serve and protect as police officers.

“I would always about them. Pray for them. I don’t know… I never expected this," he said.

Officer Joseph Shinners had recently started a family of his own. He and his wife, Kaylyn, are parents of a 20-month-old boy "who looks just like him,"John Shinners said.

The chief of the Everett Fire Department, where Joe’s dad worked for 36 years, vowed eternal support for this strong family.

"It doesn’t matter that it’s in Utah. It struck a chord with us because John is part of our family," said Everett Fire Chief Anthony Carli.

Carli said the slain officer "was carved from the same stone as his Dad, a highly respected member of the force."

Ferguson, the police chief in Provo, Utah, also praised the dedication of Officer Shinners.

"He comes from a family of service," Ferguson said. "He understands sacrifice, he is the officer you would want to show up at your door."

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Shinners was a three-year veteran of the department, Ferguson said.

The suspect's identity wasn't released, but police said he was a 40-year-old man who was either homeless or staying with friends in the area.

“As chief of police, I am furious,” Ferguson said. “I am heartbroken, I am shocked. To Joe’s family, I want to say we love you. We stand with you.”

John Shinners reflected on a lifetime of memories and the last time he saw his son, during a recent hunting trip in Maine.

"I gave him a hug when he left in November. I guess I won’t be able to hug him again," he said.

Cox Media Group