In Memoriam: Detective Green B. Hamby

Killed in the line of duty 89 years ago this week

The Salt Lake City Police Department remembers the loss of one its own: Detective Green B. Hamby, killed in the line of duty February 8, 1921.

Detective Hamby died after being shot by a burglary suspect. Acting on information obtained from three men arrested for an assault on another officer, Detective Hamby and other officers went to the Nord Hotel at 59 East 200 South. While attempting to gain access to a room where the men had been staying, Detective Hamby was shot in the head by a fourth suspect hiding inside. The suspect was killed by return fire from the other officers.

The 49-year-old victim was married and had three children, including a grown son who was also an officer with the Police Department. Detective Hamby is buried in Salt Lake City Cemetery.

If you have memories or photos of Detective Hamby 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.

SLCPD Bomb Squad to Demonstrate Dangers of Dry Ice, Chemical Bombs

The Salt City Police Department’s Bomb Squad will demonstrate the dangers of homemade dry ice and chemical bombs tomorrow afternoon.

Recently, officers arrested five young adults for detonation of similar incendiary devices on the football field at West High School. The Police Department seeks to highlight the dangers of such activity, which is a third-degree felony.

WHO: SLCPD Bomb Squad

WHAT: Explosives demonstration for reporters

WHEN: Tuesday, February 2, 2010, @ 3:00 p.m.

WHERE: Airport Training Facility, 3950 W. 2200 N., Salt Lake City, Utah 84116

SLCPD, Disney On Ice Invite the Public to Go on a ‘Worlds Of Fantasy’ Mission to Help Utah Food Bank

The Salt City Police Department and Disney on Ice invite the public to an evening of family fun with Disney On Ice presents Worlds of Fantasy at the Gallivan Center Ice Rink Monday, January 25.

Starting at 6:00 p.m., the first 600 people to come to the Gallivan Center Ice Rink and donate 10 cans of food each to Utah Food Bank Services will receive a free pass to the opening night performance of Disney On Ice presents Worlds of Fantasy on Wednesday, March 10, at the Energy Solutions Arena. There will be a limit of one ticket per adult, and each donor must be present with 10 cans of food in order to receive a free pass.

Additionally, anyone who comes dressed as a Disney character can skate FREE from 6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. (skate rental included).

WHAT: SLCPD & Disney On Ice Food Drive/ Skating Party
WHEN: Monday, January 25, 2010, 6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
WHERE: Gallivan Center Ice Rink, 239 South Main Street
MORE INFO: Leslie Hart, Jack Hart Associates, (435) 467-0833 Lulubugllc@aol.com

About Utah Food Bank Services
Utah Food Bank Services’ food needs are emphasized by a recently released USDA report ranking Utah as the state with the fourth highest food insecurity rate in the nation. All food donated through the SLCPD/Disney On Ice Food Drive will benefit individuals and families in need throughout the entire state of Utah. Utah Food Bank Services provides food to a statewide network of more than 230 agencies and community centers. Last fiscal year, Utah Food Bank Services distributed 19.2 million pounds of food, the equivalent of over 9.6 million for families and individuals in need. For more information about Utah Food Bank Services call (801) 978-2452 or visit http://www.utahfoodbank.org/.

About Feld Entertainment
Feld Entertainment is the world’s leading producer and presenter of live family entertainment. A privately owned and operated family company, Feld Entertainment is the parent company of Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey®, Feld Motor Sports, Disney On Ice, and Disney Live! With more than 5,000 performances annually and tours in more than 65 countries on six continents, the company’s shows are seen by more than 30 million people each year.

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.

Cold Case Review Leads to Break in Anna Palmer Case

Homicide Detectives for the Salt Lake City Police Department have secured a warrant for the arrest of Matthew John Breck (11/3/78) for the 1998 homicide of Anna Palmer.

On the evening of September 10, 1998, the mother of the victim found her 10-year-old daughter on the porch of their home at 1633 S. 300 E. with what proved to be fatal stab wounds to the neck. During the initial autopsy, the victim’s fingernails were trimmed and kept for analysis.

Working with the cooperation of the Utah Bureau of Forensic Services and Sorenson Forensics, Salt Lake City Police Homicide Detectives recently were able to match a DNA profile with Breck.

The suspect was convicted in Idaho in 2001 for the offense of sodomy/lewdness of a minor child under 16, occurring in 2000. The Police Department and the Salt Lake County District Attorney’s office now will seek to extradite Breck from the Idaho Correctional Institution-Orofino, in Clearwater County, Idaho, to face homicide charges in Utah.

The Police Department would like to thank the Clearwater County Sheriff’s Office for the use of their facilities and material assistance, as well as the Salt Lake County District Attorney’s office for their assistance and advice in this case.

SLCPD Asks Public to Help ID Suspects in Aggravated Assault on Cab Driver

The Salt Lake City Police Department is asking the public to help identify two suspects involved in an aggravated assault.

The suspects are wanted in an attack on a Ute Cab driver Saturday evening. They are described as:

• A male black adult, 5 feet 7 inches tall, 150-165 lbs., and wearing a light blue hat, blue jacket with grey sleeves and tan pants.
  
  
• A male white adult, 5 feet 11 inches tall, medium build, 175-180 lbs., no facial hair, and wearing a yellow hoodie, blue coat and blue pants.

Background:
At approximately 9:50 p.m., Saturday, December 19, 2009, two suspects went into the office of Motel 6 at 176 W. 600 S. and requested the clerk call a cab for them. The clerk called Ute cab. The 46-year-old male cab driver picked up the suspects and drove to the Park Place Apartments, 731 S. 300 E., as requested. The suspects told the victim to park the car in one of the stalls. As soon as the victim put the vehicle in park, both suspects began punching the victim. One of the suspects had a knife or sharp object that cut the victim along the neck and ear. The suspects fled from the taxi on foot, eastbound. He was transported to an area hospital in critical condition but has since been released and is recovering from his injuries.

Anyone with information about the identity or whereabouts of these persons of interest is asked to call the Salt Lake City Police Department, (801) 799-3000. Please reference 09-222492. Callers may remain anonymous.

In Memoriam: Officer Charles S. Ford

Killed in the line of duty 102 years ago today

The Salt Lake City Police Department today remembers the loss of one its own: Officer Charles S. Ford, killed in the line of duty December 14, 1907.

Officer Ford was shot and killed following the armed robbery of a Salt Lake City bar. At approximately 2:30 a.m., he was working his third shift after returning to law enforcement from a 16-year absence.

The 51-year-old victim was standing on the northeast corner of 600 South and 200 West when two armed robbers fleeing the scene of a robbery in the Albany Hotel bar across the street shot him. Officer Ford returned fire without effect. He died 12 hours later at St. Mark’s Hospital.

The two robbers managed to flee Utah. One was arrested in Portland a month later. The second was shot to death by Seattle officers in May 1908. The first robber was convicted and sentenced to life in prison. For health reasons, his sentence was terminated in 1918. He died several months later.

Married and the father of two grown daughters, Officer Ford is buried in Mt. Olivet Cemetery, Salt Lake City.

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.