About this project

Officer in Distress is based largely on interviews with West Jordan Police Detective Brent Jex, the family of Officer Ron Wood and Special Agent Michael Minichino, with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. It includes information from police reports and recordings; ATF field notes; state and federal court records and transcripts; contemporary news accounts and dozens of additional interviews.

Those interviewed included Katie Jex, Lourie Wood, Birgitta Wood, Marlan Wood, Jana White, Judy Linford, Mike Searle, West Jordan Officer Denise Vincent, retired West Jordan Capt. Gary Cox, confidential informant "Droopy," retired FBI Agent Juan Becerra, Stacy Valdes, Kourtney Berge, Clayton Morgan, Shante Johnson, Brian Murdock and West Jordan Police Chief Doug Diamond.

Additional information came from past Salt Lake Tribune reporting as well as the following sources:

Mental health resources

Learn about the Utah Fraternal Order of Police Mental Health Program.

See DunamisPolice.org's page about trauma and mental health.

Find help for anyone experiencing suicidal thoughts at 1-800-273-TALK (8255). Utah also has crisis lines statewide.

The SafeUT app offers immediate crisis intervention services for youths and a confidential tip program.