Public’s help sought in officer impersonation case

Written by Carin Miller
January 22, 2015

IRON COUNTY – The Iron County Sheriff’s Office is seeking help from the public regarding a 28-year-old Cedar City man whom they suspect may have been impersonating a law enforcement officer while using a vehicle stocked with emergency equipment.

Thomas James Demille, of Cedar City, Utah, booking photo posted Jan. 10, 2014 | Photo courtesy of Iron County Bookings, St. George News
Thomas James Demille, of Cedar City, Utah, booking photo posted Jan. 10, 2014 | Photo courtesy of Iron County Bookings, St. George News

According to a press release from the Iron County Sheriff’s Office, a silver 2001 Pontiac Grand Prix was found wrecked and abandoned on Lund Highway on Jan. 10. While investigating the vehicle, deputies found emergency equipment had been installed in it. In addition to a scanner radio programmed to emergency channels for the Iron County area, the car was fully loaded with a siren and switches for wigwag lights, which cause headlights to flash back and forth.

The owner of the vehicle, Cedar City resident Thomas James Demille, was located and questioned about the car. During questioning, Demille allegedly admitted to consuming a controlled substance, but he denied having anything to do with the vehicle wreckage.

Demille told officers he had been under the influence of both methamphetamines and oxycodone from Jan. 9 through Jan. 10. A urinalysis confirmed the admission.

Demille said he had the equipment installed in his vehicle because he was both an EMT and a firefighter, Iron County Sheriff’s Public Information Officer Del Schlosser said. So far, Schlosser said, sheriff’s deputies have disqualified the legitimacy of Demille’s EMT credentials.

According to a probable cause statement supporting Demille’s arrest, Demille has been charged with two third-degree felonies: one for internal possession of methamphetamine and one for possession of oxycodone. His bail was set at $5,000 cash or bond. As of 7 p.m. Thursday, he was still in custody at the Iron County Jail.

The Iron County Sheriff’s Office is looking for anyone who may have information about the accident that occurred on Jan. 10 involving Demille’s Grand Prix or who has information about possible incidents in which a driver of the vehicle attempted to pull someone over or otherwise impersonate law enforcement.

Anyone with information should contact the Iron County Sheriff’s Office at 435-867-7500.

This photo is a representation of the same make and model and color vehicle as described in the story, a 2001 Silver Pontiac Grand Prix, but is not the actual vehicle in question | Photo courtesy of the Iron County Sheriff's Office, St. George News
This photo is a representation of the same make and model and color vehicle as described in the story, a 2001 Silver Pontiac Grand Prix, but is not the actual vehicle in question | Photo courtesy of the Iron County Sheriff’s Office, St. George News

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Born and raised in South Jersey, Carin Miller moved to Cedar City 20 years ago or so and found her home. A 2012 graduate of Southern Utah University, she earned her bachelor's degree in communication with a minor in fine art photography – after dropping out of high school at the age of 16. Carin proved that with a little determination and hard work anything was possible. Her love of history and family has compelled her to dig up “Legacies Lost to Time” and share them with the world when she is not busy with either work or her four children. Having worked for the Iron County Today, Alive Utah South and KCSG Television before landing with St. George News, Carin has covered a wide range of issues, events and happenings throughout the Southern Utah region. https://www.facebook.com/carinmillernews

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10 Comments

  • Harry the cable guy January 22, 2015 at 10:21 pm

    dang tweekers

  • koolaid January 23, 2015 at 5:02 am

    Some guys go to great extents to hit on women. Wannahear my siren? At least it’s a change from trying to impress them with a big truck and lots of guns.

  • sagemoon January 23, 2015 at 8:27 am

    Dang tweeker.

  • NO INFO AVAILABLE January 23, 2015 at 8:28 am

    Koolaid. Oh yeah. LOL. The guys with their big trucks and gun racks and their Utah beer ha ha ha… Good one. KOOLAID

  • Loves Cocoa January 23, 2015 at 9:18 am

    Dang Sage you getting kinda slow on the draw there LOL.!

    • sagemoon January 23, 2015 at 10:42 am

      I’ve had a lot going on this week. I’ll get on top of my game next week.

  • mo ferguson January 23, 2015 at 9:25 am

    Actually, I think that looks a lot like KOOLAID. So what have you been up to KOOLAID? Notice how KOOLAID knows all about how to “hit on women”? Hahahahahaha……

    • Free Parking January 23, 2015 at 2:53 pm

      Hey MO. You still hanging out with the cattle at the Sunbowl looking for a dat

    • UTCOWBOY January 24, 2015 at 10:56 am

      It looks alot like you. Ha ha ha ha ha

  • Sunny January 23, 2015 at 12:34 pm

    Creepy.

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