Incident
Deputy Sheriff Rodney Badger drowned while attempting to rescue a family who had fallen into the Weber River. He had been sent to the river to help pioneers cross the water during the winter. As one of the families crossed, their wagon overturned and a mother and six children fell into the water. Deputy Badger immediately dove in and was able to rescue the mother and four children. As he swam back out to rescue the two remaining children he was overtaken with the cold and exhaustion and went under. His body wasn't recovered until November 1854.
Survivors
Deputy Badger was survived by his wife and four children.
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
173 years is a long time for a name to go unread. Not today.
Deputy Sheriff Badger gave the Salt Lake County Sheriff's Office 3 years.
Thank you for your service to the Salt Lake City community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Accident
Salt Lake County Sheriff's Office has lost 10 officers; 3 of them lost to accidents.
Rodney is one of 49 officers lost to accidents in UT, 35.5% of the 138 remembered there.
Rodney is one of 8,276 officers lost to accidents in the United States, 30% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Rodney is one of 10,096 officers lost to accidents worldwide, 29.6% of the 34,102 remembered here.
34,102 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1853, 1 officer in UT was lost to accidents, the 7th heaviest of 42 years on record. The heaviest was 1987, with 3.
In 1853, 3 officers in the United States were lost to accidents, the 150th heaviest of 174 years on record. The heaviest was 1929, with 118.
In 1853, 8 officers worldwide were lost to accidents, the 159th heaviest of 200 years on record. The heaviest was 1930, with 131.
Who
Rodney was 30. Of the 48 lost to accidents in UT whose age is recorded, half were between 31.5 and 51.3; the middle age was 37.5. Rodney had served 3 years; the middle length of service was 7 years.
Rodney was 30. Of the 7,718 lost to accidents in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 46; the middle age was 36. Rodney had served 3 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Rodney was 30. Of the 9,452 lost to accidents worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 45; the middle age was 36. Rodney had served 3 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
April holds 12.2% of these deaths in UT; July holds the most, 14.3%. Fridays: 8.2%.
April holds 7% of these deaths in the United States; August holds the most, 9.4%. Fridays: 15.1%.
April holds 7% of these deaths worldwide; August holds the most, 9.3%. Fridays: 15%.
How
Accident deaths account for 30% of all 10 deaths at Salt Lake County Sheriff's Office, the 2nd most common cause.
Accident deaths account for 35.5% of all 138 deaths in UT, the 2nd most common cause.
Accident deaths account for 30% of all 27,551 deaths in the United States, the 2nd most common cause.
Accident deaths account for 29.6% of all 34,102 deaths worldwide, the 2nd most common cause.
His people
Salt Lake County Sheriff's Office has 10 officers remembered here, Rodney among them.
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Rodney Badger
Apr 29, 1853
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Nephi Stannard Jensen
Nov 21, 1913
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George Otto Witbeck
Nov 21, 1913
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James Douglas Hulsey
Nov 29, 1913
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Vaso Mandarich
Nov 29, 1913
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Gordon Stuart
Apr 15, 1922
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Oscar Fullmer
Aug 26, 1928
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Mackay C. Jewkes
Jun 25, 1959
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Melvin Charles Colebrook Jr.
Mar 10, 1973
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Michael Scott Welcker
Feb 24, 1994
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 2-E
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
9 officers from Salt Lake County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.








