Three years ago, Unified Police Department officer Lance Bess was duck hunting at the Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge when another hunter shot in his direction.
With his police-issued pistol in one hand and his hunting shotgun in the other, Bess — depending on one’s point of view — either investigated the errant shotgun blast or confronted the other hunters. A jury later convicted Bess of a misdemeanor count of threatening or using a weapon in a fight or quarrel.
Police organizations have come to Bess’ defense and helped push his case to the Utah Supreme Court.