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Incident
Sergeant Joseph Adams was shot and killed during a traffic stop of a DUI suspect at approximately 11:00 pm at 2100 North 1200 West.
He was working a special four-hour DUI enforcement assignment when he stopped a suspected drunk driver. Officer Adams was attempting to arrest the man after the man failed several field sobriety tests.
He had handcuffed one of the man's wrists when the subject suddenly pulled out a small-caliber handgun and fired a shot over his shoulder, striking Sergeant Adams. As Sergeant Adams fell to the ground, he was able to draw his weapon and return fire, striking the man twice and critically wounding him. The man was able to return to his vehicle and flee.
After the shooting, a passenger in the suspect's vehicle exited the car and attempted to offer medical assistance to Sergeant Adams as the suspect fled. The person also called 911 to get assistance for Sergeant Adams.
Sergeant Adams was flown to a local hospital where he succumbed to his wounds shortly after midnight.
The suspect was convicted of Sergeant Adams' murder in 2002 and sentenced to life without parole.
Sergeant Adams was a Utah National Guard veteran and had served with the Lehi Police Department for four years. He was posthumously promoted to the rank of Sergeant.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and 7-month-old son.
In Our Keeping
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- Added to badge.nw
- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
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Tributes
I served 1985 to 1993. You served too, before the badge - different uniform, same idea. You go where you are sent and you do not get to pick the call.
Sergeant Adams gave the Lehi Police Department 4 years.
Thank you for your service to the Lehi community. Thank you for your service before it. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, brother.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Military Service
Joseph Dan Adams served in the the United States military before joining law enforcement.
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Joseph is the only officer of Lehi Police Department remembered here.
Joseph is one of 84 officers killed feloniously in UT, 60.9% of the 138 remembered there.
Joseph is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,552 remembered there.
Joseph is one of 17,623 officers killed feloniously worldwide, 51.7% of the 34,103 remembered here.
34,103 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 2001, 2 officers in UT were killed feloniously, the 3rd heaviest of 62 years on record. The heaviest was 1913, with 6.
In 2001, 158 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 23rd heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 2001, 160 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 27th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Joseph was 26. Of the 78 killed feloniously in UT whose age is recorded, half were between 32 and 47; the middle age was 39. Joseph had served 4 years; the middle length of service was 5 years.
Joseph was 26. Of the 14,219 killed feloniously in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 47; the middle age was 38. Joseph had served 4 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Joseph was 26. Of the 15,853 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Joseph had served 4 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
August holds 13.1% of these deaths in UT; May holds the most, 14.3%. Saturdays: 19%.
August holds 8.9% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Saturdays: 16.3%.
August holds 8.6% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Saturdays: 16.2%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 100% of all 1 deaths at Lehi Police Department. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 100% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 60.9% of all 138 deaths in UT, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 31% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 57.1% of all 27,552 deaths in the United States, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 23.4% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,103 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 20.9% of these deaths.
Where
Military Service
Joseph Dan Adams served in the United States military before joining law enforcement.
Visit Joseph Dan Adams’s page on salute.nw →
His full service record — units, decorations, where he served — is kept on salute.nw.
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 29-E
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Also Remembered
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