In Memoriam: Sergeant Alonzo M. Wilson

Sgt. Alonzo M. Wilson

Killed in the Line of Duty 118 Years Ago Today

The Salt Lake City Police Department today remembers the loss of one its own: Sergeant Alonzo M. Wilson, killed in the line of duty April 12, 1894.

Sergeant Wilson died from an accidental gunshot wound. The 54-year-old victim was working as the morning desk sergeant in the Salt Lake City police station when a new patrolman dropped a loaded pistol. The weapon discharged as it hit the floor. The .45-caliber bullet struck Sgt. Wilson in the right knee, shattering his femur.

He was taken to a hospital where the leg was amputated. During surgery, doctors discovered that the bullet had ranged up into his torso. Sgt. Wilson died approximately five hours after being shot.

A member of the department for three years, Sgt. Wilson was married and the father of six children. His wife gave birth to the couple’s seventh child the day after his death. He is buried in Mount Olivet Cemetery.

The Department seeks photographs of Sgt. Wilson for its Police History Project. Please email information to policehistory@slcgov.com or call (801) 799-3340.

In Memoriam: Detective James W. Cawley

Det. James Cawley, Fallen Officer

Killed in the Line of Duty
9 years ago today

The Salt Lake City Police Department remembers the loss of one of its own today: Detective James W. Cawley, killed in the line of duty March 29, 2003.

Detective Cawley was killed in Iraq on Saturday, March 29, 2003, defending the freedom he so cherished. He was serving as a Marine Reservist and Staff Sergeant of the 1st Platoon, Fox Company, 2nd Battalion, 23rd Marine Regiment.

After 12 years of active duty with the Marines, Cawley joined the Salt Lake City Police Department on April 10, 1997. He served honorably as an officer, a detective in the gang suppression unit, and a member of the SWAT team.

Whether serving as a police officer on the home front or a Marine in a faraway land, Detective Cawley was willing to sacrifice his life in the name of peace, safety and justice. His life revolved around serving others, and that service can best be summed up by the words inscribed at the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial: “It is not how these officers died that made them heroes, it is how they lived.”

Detective Cawley is survived by his wife and two young children.

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In Memoriam: Sergeant Nephi Pierce

Sgt. Nephi Pierce, Fallen Officer

Killed in the Line of Duty 
89 Years Ago Today

The Salt Lake City Police Department remembers the loss of one its own: Sergeant Nephi Pierce, killed in the line of duty March 26, 1923.

Sergeant Pierce died from the effects of a gunshot wound inflicted four months earlier by an armed-robbery suspect.

Shortly after midnight on November 27, 1922, Sergeant Pierce and Officer George Watson were on foot patrol near 525 S. Main Street. As they attempted to question two men matching the descriptions of a pair of robbery suspects, one of the suspects drew a gun. As Sergeant Pierce sought cover behind a tree, a suspect shot him once in the abdomen. Officer Watson was then pistol-whipped and left for dead.

The two suspects were captured the following morning. Officer Watson recovered, but Sergeant Pierce’s spine was severed. Their assailants were convicted of assault and sent to prison.

When Sergeant Pierce died four months later, the shooter was convicted of murder and executed by firing squad February 20, 1925. The second suspect was paroled in 1926.

Three months after the death of her husband, Marie Pierce committed suicide in the couple’s home. The Pierces had no children. They are buried beside each other in Mount Olivet Cemetery.

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In Memoriam: Officers Honey and Huntsman

Killed in the Line of Duty 88 Years Ago Today

The Salt Lake City Police Department remembers the loss of two of its own: Officers Brigham H. Honey Jr. and William N. Huntsman, killed in the line of duty February 16, 1924. Officers Honey and Huntsman were killed while attempting to arrest an armed robber.


At approximately 11:30 p.m., a suspect entered the State Café, 46 W. Broadway, and ordered the clerk at gunpoint to surrender the money from the register. When the suspect rejoined his female companion on the street, an employee exited the cafe and fired a shot at them.


The noise attracted the attention of the two officers, who pursued the pair south on Main Street. At 337 S. Main, a gun battle ensued during which both officers and the suspect were wounded.


Officer Huntsman, 26, was killed immediately. Officer Honey, 34, died several hours later.


As other officers converged on the scene, the wounded suspect dragged his female companion into a doorway and shot her through the face. He then killed himself. The female accomplice survived her wound. She was subsequently released.


Officer Honey was married and the father of two children. Officer Huntsman was married and the father of a daughter. The officers are buried near each other in Salt Lake City Cemetery.


The Police Department wishes to thank the Utah Law Enforcement Memorial for its assistance in this remembrance.

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In Memoriam: Officer William Cooke

Killed in the Line of Duty 152 Years Ago Today

The Salt Lake City Police Department today remembers the loss of one its own: Officer William Cooke, who died October 18, 1858, from injuries sustained in the line of duty.

Officer William Cooke was the first Utah police officer to be murdered in the line of duty.

On the afternoon of October 13, the 55-year-old victim was on duty and alone at the city jail. Two men came to the jail and demanded the release of an inmate. When Officer Cooke refused, one of the men shot him in the thigh. Officer Cooke died five days later.

The killer fled Salt Lake City. He was shot and killed October 21, 1858, near Fort Bridger, Wyoming, by a Salt Lake mail carrier familiar with the murder.

Officer Cooke was married and the father of six children. He is buried in Salt Lake City Cemetery.

To learn more about our Fallen Officers, please visit www.slcpd.com. Click on “Honoring Our Own.”

The Police Department wishes to thank the Utah Law Enforcement Memorial for its assistance in this remembrance.

In Memoriam: Sergeant Alonzo M. Wilson

The Salt Lake City Police Department today remembers the loss of one its own: Sergeant Alonzo M. Wilson, killed in the line of duty April 12, 1894.

Sergeant Wilson died from an accidental gunshot wound. The 54-year-old victim was working as the morning desk sergeant in the Salt Lake City police station when a new patrolman dropped a loaded pistol. The weapon discharged as it hit the floor. The .45-caliber bullet struck Sgt. Wilson in the right knee, shattering his femur.

He was taken to a hospital where the leg was amputated. During surgery, doctors discovered that the bullet had ranged up into his torso. Sgt. Wilson died approximately five hours after being shot.

A member of the department for three years, Sgt. Wilson was married and the father of six children. His wife gave birth to the couple’s seventh child the day after his death. He is buried in Mount Olivet Cemetery.

The Department seeks photographs of Sgt. Wilson for its police history project. Please email information to policehistory@slcgov.com or call (801) 799-3340. To learn more about our Fallen Officers, visit http://www.slcpd.com/. Click on “Honoring Our Own.”

The Police Department wishes to thank the Utah Law Enforcement Memorial for its assistance in this remembrance.

In Memoriam: Detective James W. Cawley

Killed in the Line of Duty
March 29, 2003

The Salt Lake City Police Department remembers the loss of one of its own: Detective James W. Cawley, killed in the line of duty March 29, 2003.

Detective Cawley was killed in Iraq on Saturday, March 29, 2003, defending the freedom he so cherished. He was serving as a Marine Reservist and Staff Sergeant of the 1st Platoon, Fox Company, 2nd Battalion, 23rd Marine Regiment.

After 12 years of active duty with the Marines, Cawley joined the Salt Lake City Police Department on April 10, 1997. He served honorably as an officer, a detective in the gang suppression unit, and a member of the SWAT team.

Whether serving as a police officer on the home front or a Marine in a faraway land, Detective Cawley was willing to sacrifice his life in the name of peace, safety and justice. His life revolved around serving others, and that service can best be summed up by the words inscribed at the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial: “It is not how these officers died that made them heroes, it is how they lived.”

Detective Cawley is survived by his wife and two young children.

If you have memories or photos of Detective Cawley to share, please email policehistory@slcgov.com or call (801) 799-3340. To learn more about our Fallen Officers, visit http://www.slcpd.com/ and click on “Honoring Our Own.”

In Memoriam: Sergeant Nephi P. Pierce

Killed in the line of duty 87 years ago today

The Salt Lake City Police Department remembers the loss of one its own: Sergeant Nephi P. Pierce, killed in the line of duty March 26, 1923.

Sergeant Pierce died from the effects of a gunshot wound inflicted four months earlier by an armed-robbery suspect.

Shortly after midnight on November 27, 1922, Sergeant Pierce and Officer George Watson were on foot patrol near 525 S. Main Street. As they attempted to question two men matching the descriptions of a pair of robbery suspects, one of the suspects drew a gun. As Sergeant Pierce sought cover behind a tree, a suspect shot him once in the abdomen. Officer Watson was then pistol-whipped and left for dead.

The two suspects were captured the following morning. Officer Watson recovered, but Sergeant Pierce’s spine was severed. Their assailants were convicted of assault and sent to prison.

When Sergeant Pierce died four months later, the shooter was convicted of murder and executed by firing squad February 20, 1925. The second suspect was paroled in 1926.

Three months after the death of her husband, Marie Pierce committed suicide in the couple’s home. The Pierces had no children. They are buried beside each other in Mount Olivet Cemetery.

To learn more about our Fallen Officers, visit www.slcpd.com. Click on “Honoring Our Own.”

The Police Department wishes to thank the Utah Law Enforcement Memorial for its assistance in this remembrance.

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In Memoriam: Officer Carl J. Carlson

The Salt Lake City Police Department remembers the loss of one its own: Officer Carl J. Carlson, killed in the line of duty March 9, 1929. Officer Carlson died from injuries he received during a liquor raid the previous day.

The 39-year-old victim and fellow officers raided 23 S. West Temple, where they located several barrels of mash. One of the 50-gallon barrels fell on Officer Carlson’s foot, causing him to jump back and strike his head against the wall.

Following treatment for the foot injury at the hospital, Officer Carlson attended a wrestling exhibition. There he was found semi-conscious, clinging to a lamppost. Taken to the hospital, he died the following morning of a basal skull fracture.

Officer Carlson was married and the father of six children. He is buried at Wasatch Lawn Memorial Park.

If you have memories or photos of Officer Carlson to share, please email policehistory@slcgov.com or call (801) 799- 3340. To learn more about our Fallen Officers, click here.

The Police Department wishes to thank the Utah Law Enforcement Memorial for its assistance in this remembrance.

In Memoriam:Detective Percy L. ‘Perc’ Clark

Killed in the line of duty 37 years ago today

The Salt Lake City Police Department today remembers the loss of one its own: Detective Percy L. “Perc” Clark, killed in the line of duty January 11, 1973.

Detective Clark was shot and killed during an armed robbery. The 42-year-old victim and other officers were conducting a stakeout of a pharmacy located at 564 Third Avenue. Information from an informant had revealed that the pharmacy would be robbed.

At approximately 2100 hours, two suspects arrived and were in the process of robbing the pharmacist when the victim left a position of cover and moved closer to the doorway. As the suspects exited, Detective Clark called for their surrender. He was shot in the head with a 9mm handgun.

The suspect who fired the shot was immediately killed by other officers. The second suspect surrendered and was eventually committed to the State Hospital.

Detective Clark was married and the father of seven children. He is buried in Salt Lake City Cemetery.

If you have memories to share about Detective Clark, please email slcpdpr@slcgov.com or call (801) 799-3340. To learn more about our Fallen Officers, please visit http://www.slcpd.com/. Click on Honoring Our Own.

The Police Department wishes to thank the Utah Law Enforcement Memorial for its assistance in this remembrance.

In Memoriam: Officer William Cooke, Killed in the Line of Duty 151 Years Ago

The Salt Lake City Police Department today remembers the loss of one its own: Officer William Cooke, killed in the line of duty October 18, 1858.

Officer Cooke was the first Utah police officer to be murdered in the line of duty.

On the afternoon of October 13, the 55-year-old victim was on duty and alone at the city jail. Two men came to the jail and demanded the release of an inmate. When Officer Cooke refused, one of the men shot him in the thigh. Officer Cooke died five days later.

The killer fled Salt Lake City. He was shot and killed October 21, 1858, near Fort Bridger, Wyoming, by a Salt Lake mail carrier familiar with the murder.

Officer Cooke was married and the father of six children. He is buried in Salt Lake City Cemetery.

If you have family history or photos of Officer Cooke to share, please email policehistory@slcgov.com or call (801) 799-3340. To learn more about our Fallen Officers, please visit http://www.slcpd.com/. Click on “Honoring Our Own.”

The Police Department wishes to thank the Utah Law Enforcement Memorial for its assistance in this remembrance.