According to a May 2025 recognition post from the City of Santaquin, Rod Hurst was listed as the Police Chief for the Santaquin Police Department. During that same period, Hurst provided reflections regarding a significant community fundraising effort organized to support the department's participation in a memorial ceremony in Washington, D.C.
The necessity for the fundraiser arose following the passing of Sergeant Bill Hooser in May 2024. The department required $45,000 to ensure a contingent could travel to the annual National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Ceremony to have Sergeant Hooser's name engraved on the Fallen Officer Memorial Wall. While the department had launched early fundraising initiatives, such as the sale of commemorative hats and t-shirts, those efforts alone were not enough to meet the required amount.
As the city's official records from May 2025 note, a benefit concert and auction was organized by a group of volunteers including Mandi Southwick, Cody Robbins, Gerald Cleveland, Jody Boss, and Lieutenant Mike Wall. This group worked to secure sponsors, sell event tables, obtain donated auction items, and encourage community participation.
Hurst expressed his perspective on the results of the fundraiser in the May 2025 document. He stated that he would have been thrilled if the event had generated $15,000, though he realistically expected closer to $10,000. As donations were collected through the work of the volunteers, Hurst noted that it became clear that $20,000 might be within reach. However, the final result exceeded those expectations, as the group raised over $50,000. Hurst remarked that the event would not have been possible without the volunteers and that the success ensured the department could properly honor Sergeant Hooser in Washington, D.C.
In addition to his role as Chief of Police, Hurst was identified on the Santaquin Police Department's internet center webpage as the Chief of Police. This department provides various services to the citizens of Santaquin, including answering questions regarding local law enforcement and managing emergency and non-emergency dispatch services. The department's physical address is listed as 275 W. Main St. in Santaquin, Utah.
The city's official website also provides access to various annual reports for the police department, including reports from 2020 through 2025. These documents serve as a record of the department's activities and functions within the community. The department's presence is a part of the broader municipal government structure that includes various departments such as Recreation, Utilities, and Community services. Residents interact with the department through various channels, including the city's website, social media, and direct contact via email or phone for non-urgent matters.
What this means for Santaquin
For the residents of Santaquin, the fundraising success described by Chief Rod Hurst in May 2025 demonstrates the community's ability to support its law enforcement officers. The over $50,000 raised ensured that the department could properly honor Sergeant Bill Hooser at the national memorial ceremony in Washington, D.C., following his death in May 2024.
