SALT LAKE CITY -- Posted: 5:12 PM-Thursday started like any other work day for Sgt. Scott Hathcock. His family said he left the house feeling nothing out-of-the-ordinary.
The 48-year-old Wasatch County sheriff's deputy was a trim 5-foot 11-inches, 160 pounds, and those closest to him knew of no medical problems.
But as Hathcock stopped a woman for speeding just after 8 a.m. along U.S. Highway 189 in Provo Canyon, Hathcock suddenly collapsed at the driver's window.
The woman - who was not issued a citation - called 911 and tried to resuscitate the deputy. Soon after, other officers and medical teams arrived, but Hathcock was pronounced dead at the scene.
"This is just a complete and total shock," said Hathcock's older brother, Nolan Hathcock. "When I heard on the radio this morning that a deputy had died, I got on my cell phone and called Scott. He didn't answer."
Scott Hathcock was a Monte Vista, Colo., native and the youngest in a family of seven. He leaves behind a wife and two sons.
Nolan Hathcock said Scott moved to Price to work for the Utah Highway Patrol when he was about 22, shortly after returning from an LDS mission in Spain. He later was transferred and moved to Heber City.
Nolan Hathcock said his brother was intelligent, honest and well-liked by everyone who associated with him.
"He had a big heart," Nolan Hathcock said. "He would do anything for you if it was within his means."
Nolan said his brother took his job seriously and worked hard to live by the same rules he was trying to enforce. He said his brother was part of an honor guard that performs the 21-gun salute at the funerals of fellow law officers.
Hathcock served with the Wasatch County Sheriff's Office as a part-time deputy for 12 years while also serving as a full-time highway patrol trooper for 23. In April 2007 he retired from the UHP and became a full-time Wasatch County deputy.
"Sgt. Hathcock was the ultimate professional, and was respected by all who worked with him," said Wasatch County Sheriff Ken Van Wagoner in a statement. "He will be greatly missed."
Hathcock's former supervisor in the Utah Highway Patrol, Lt. Steve Winward, praised Hathcock's work ethic, calling him a "phenomenal employee," who earned the highest possible "exceptional" rating during each of his seven years under Winward.
In 2005, Hathcock was awarded the Department of Public Safety's Distinguished Service Award. He also was a finalist for Utah's state employee of the year.
Hathcock helped to train new troopers on field sobriety tests, and was a radar instructor. Winward said Hathcock had a dynamic teaching style that kept students on the edges of their seats.
"This is just such a loss, not only for Wasatch County and Utah Highway Patrol, but for all law enforcement because of what he brought to the enforcement community," said Winward. "He touched almost every officer's life. That's just the kind of guy he was."
The UHP is investigating Hathcock's death and the state medical examiner will conduct an autopsy.
A trust fund for Hathcock's family has been set up in his name at Zion's Bank and contributions can be made at any branch.