Jose Guillermo Argueta
Utah State Member
End of Watch May 25, 2006
Jose Guillermo Argueta
February 25, 1974 ~ May 25, 2006
Detective Jose Guillermo Argueta passed away on 5-25-06 of Esophageal Cancer.
After graduation from Kearns High School, Jose joined the Army as a Combat
Medic. He was hired as a member of the Midvale Police Department in 1995. Jose
completed assignments as a Patrol Officer, Solo Motor Officer, S.W.A.T. Officer,
Narcotics Officer, Robbery-Homicide Detective and a member of JCAT (Joint
Criminal Apprehension Team). In 2005, Jose was named Utah’s Latino Officer of
the year. Jose is survived by his wife Erika, his parents and two brothers.
Jose’s cancer is suspected to have resulted from his narcotics assignment during
which he helped close down numerous meth labs. Back in the day, narcotics
officers were taught to waft the fumes towards their noses to determine their
chemical nature. That was before HazMat was used in conjunction with meth lab
shut-downs. Numerous former narcotics officers are suffering from medical
maladies believed to be from their former involvement shutting down meth labs.
Our condolences to Jose’s wife, family, workmates and community members who will
all be greatly affected by this loss.