Logan City leaders express thanks to police for professionalism in the face of recent tragedy

It has been a heart breaking and emotional 11 days for family, friends and first-responders working through the tragic death of 5-year old Elizabeth “Lizzy” Shelly.

The body of Lizzy was found five days after she went missing from her Logan home on May 25.

Her uncle, 21-year old Alex Whipple, faces murder charges in connection with Lizzy’s death.

Local police and first-responders spent countless hours and time searching for Lizzy, consoling loved ones, and working with community leaders to help family members find some sense of closure.

In a letter addressed to Chief Gary Jensen and the members of the Logan Police Department, Logan City Council Chair Jeannie Simmonds expressed the city’s gratitude for the department’s leadership and compassion.

“We talk at length about the character of our community, how we define it and how we encourage it and give it more life,” the letter stated. “It was through the tragedy of last week that this community showed what it stands for and how, despite any differences, we care deeply for one another.”

The letter was read during Tuesday night’s council meeting, hours after Lizzy was laid to rest at the Logan City Cemetery, and will be delivered to Chief Jensen once all council members have a chance to sign it.

You can read the full text of the letter below:

Chief Gary Jensen and the members of the Logan Police Department,

The Logan City Council has the honor of serving in a city that both thrives and cares. Never before has it been more evident than in the past week. With your leadership and compassion, our Police Department brought out the very best in our community, in the very worst of circumstances. We want to formally thank you for that.

We talk at length about the character of our community, how we define it and how we encourage it and give it more life. It was through the tragedy of last week that this community showed what it stands for and how, despite any differences, we care deeply for one another. Caring was shown through each of you and the many members of our community who helped however they could.

Our police department has a reputation statewide for excellence and collaboration. Both were very evident in the tremendously difficult work and in the willingness of agencies to travel many miles to assist in any way possible.

We never want to have tragedy in our community. But in this tragedy, we showed the best of ourselves. Thank you so very much for being that best.

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