Man who beat Layton police officer into unconsciousness going to prison

Farmington • Layton police Sgt. Brady Fitzpatrick always knew there may be a time when someone would try to hurt or kill him for the sole reason that he was wearing a police badge and uniform.

That day came on Aug. 28 when, while on duty, Fitzpatrick was beaten into unconsciousness by Joshua Robert Isakson, 31, at Isakson's Layton home.

"I was merely trying to protect the people that he was supposed to love from his rage and brutality," Fitzpatrick said Thursday during Isakson's sentencing in Farmington's 2nd District Court. "I had to shoot Mr. Isakson to save my own life."

Isakson had pleaded guilty to first-degree felony attempted aggravated murder and two counts of class A misdemeanor assault.

On Thursday, Judge Mark Horne sentenced Isakson to five years to life in prison for the felony, and a year in jail for each misdemeanor. He ruled the sentences could run concurrently.

Fitzpatrick was attacked while responding to a 911 call to a home near 500 East and Miller Avenue, where Isakson had assaulted his girlfriend and mother.

During the assault, he told witnesses that he would kill a police officer if one came to his home, according to court documents.

When Fitzpatrick arrived, Isakson assaulted the officer in the hallway and living room area, according to court documents.

"Judge, he almost died," Davis County Attorney Troy Rawlings told Horne on Thursday. "This was truly an attempt to kill him. We are lucky and fortunate that he is here."

In what prosecutors have called a "surprise cowardly attack," Isakson beat Fitzpatrick until the officer fired three shots — two of which hit Isakson — before losing consciousness.

According to court documents, a witness told police that Isakson intended to kill the officer, and repeatedly said, "I'm going to kill you, mother f——— cop."

Two other officers rushed in and cuffed Isakson, who was taken to a hospital with gunshot wounds.

Fitzpatrick suffered serious injuries and required multiple surgeries and only recently returned to active duty. Fitzpatrick told the judge he has been diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder because of the attack and had facial reconstruction surgery in April because his face was disfigured.

"I am happy to be alive," Fitzpatrick said. "I know if I didn't take the action I did, he would have killed me. He did it because I was the first police officer that walked through the door."

Isakson's attorney, Larry Larsen, said his client has a problem with alcohol and is remorseful about assaulting the officer.

Isakson spoke briefly in court Thursday, saying he didn't fully realize that he had assaulted his girlfriend, mother and the police officer until he regained consciousness in the hospital after he was shot.

"I was completely sick to my stomach," Isakson said. "Because anyone that knows me knows that I am not a violent person."

Isakson was originally charged with attempted aggravated murder and aggravated kidnapping, both first-degree felonies, along with misdemeanor assault charges and interfering with police.

jmiller@sltrib.com

Twitter: @jm_miller