Idaho deputy who died in line of duty identified

IDAHO FALLS, Idaho (AP) — The Bonneville County sheriff's office has identified 23-year-old Wyatt Maser as the deputy who was hit and killed by another deputy earlier this week.

Maser died Monday while responding to a rollover crash in eastern Idaho before sunrise, the Post Register reported.

Maser and another deputy arrived and saw a woman involved in the crash holding a machete, authorities said, adding that she ignored orders to drop the weapon and walked away from the deputies.

Maser and the other deputy followed her on foot when another deputy arrived, hitting Maser with his patrol vehicle, authorities said.

Maser was severely injured and was taken to Eastern Idaho Regional Medical Center, where he died from his injuries, deputies said. The woman was also taken to a hospital for medical treatment and a mental evaluation.

The driver was placed on leave. The Idaho State Police are investigating the incident.

Maser started his job in April 2019 and was a veteran of the United States Air Force, serving as a senior airman between August 2015 and April 2018, the sheriff’s office said. He was raised in Casper, Wyoming.

“The Bonneville County Sheriff’s Office wants to extend its appreciation and thanks to the many individuals, agencies, and businesses from around the state and country who have reached out and expressed their condolences to our agency and the family of our fallen deputy,” the department said in a statement.

Maser is survived by his wife, Paige Michelle Maser, who he married in October 2018 and his daughter who was born in August 2019.