This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2015, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.
After he had been missing for several days, a West Jordan police officer's body was found in remote Sevier County.
It appears that Officer Jedediah "JR" Steadman, who was last seen leaving his West Jordan home Tuesday, missed a turn and drove off a cliff, according to a Sunday news release from the department. He died at the scene; his Dodge pickup truck was found late Sunday morning at the base of the cliff, which is west of Emery city.
The investigation is ongoing, the release adds.
"Our sincerest condolences go out to the Steadman family, who are asking for privacy as they mourn their loss," the release states. "As a Department, we will warmly remember Officer Steadman for his many years of dedicated service to our community. Today we lost another one of our own."
The police had called off volunteer searchers Friday evening after eliminating the most likely places they would have found him, according to the department.
"The Steadman family joins our department in expressing profound gratitude for the immense support extended to help find JR," the release states.
An earlier news release from the department said Steadman, 34, had an argument with his wife and left their home. His family had said that he was an avid hunter, angler and outdoorsman and that he may have been stranded somewhere, according to the earlier release.
Steadman was a seven-year veteran of the force and was due to be promoted to detective, KUTV-Ch. 2 reported.
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