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Incident
Agent Robert Hutchings was shot and killed while participating in a narcotics operation. At the time, he was assigned to the Liquor Enforcement Division. Following an undercover drug-buy, the officers attempted to serve a warrant on a suspect. The suspect produced a shotgun and shot Agent Hutchings in the neck. Agent Hutchings and another officer returned fire, killing the suspect.
Survivors
Agent Hutchings had been with his agency for two years and was survived by his expectant wife and six children.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
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- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Agent Hutchings gave the Utah Highway Patrol 2 years.
Thank you for your service to the people of Utah. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Agent Hutchings.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Military Service
Robert Bay Hutchings served in the the United States military before joining law enforcement.
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Utah Highway Patrol has lost 16 officers; 7 of them killed feloniously.
Robert is one of 84 officers killed feloniously in UT, 60.9% of the 138 remembered there.
Robert is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,552 remembered there.
Robert 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 1976, 1 officer at Utah Highway Patrol was killed feloniously, more than in any other year.
In 1976, 1 officer in UT was killed feloniously, the 18th heaviest of 62 years on record. The heaviest was 1913, with 6.
In 1976, 137 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 30th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1976, 162 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 26th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Robert was 33. Of the 6 killed feloniously at Utah Highway Patrol whose age is recorded, half were between 27.5 and 36; the middle age was 31. Robert had served 2 years; the middle length of service was 5 years.
Robert was 33. Of the 78 killed feloniously in UT whose age is recorded, half were between 32 and 47; the middle age was 39. Robert had served 2 years; the middle length of service was 5 years.
Robert was 33. 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. Robert had served 2 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Robert was 33. Of the 15,853 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Robert had served 2 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
July holds 28.6% of these deaths at Utah Highway Patrol; December holds the most, 28.6%. Tuesdays: 28.6%.
July holds 7.1% of these deaths in UT; May holds the most, 14.3%. Tuesdays: 13.1%.
July holds 9.3% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Tuesdays: 13.4%.
July holds 9% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Tuesdays: 13.3%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 43.8% of all 16 deaths at Utah Highway Patrol, the 2nd most common cause. The weapon recorded was shotgun, in 14.3% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 60.9% of all 138 deaths in UT, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was shotgun, in 4.8% 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 shotgun, in 7% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,103 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was shotgun, in 6.3% of these deaths.
His people
Utah Highway Patrol has 16 officers remembered here, Robert among them.
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George Edwin Van Wagenen
May 23, 1931
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Armond A. Luke
Dec 3, 1959
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George Dee Rees
Jul 2, 1960
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John R. Winn
Sep 22, 1971
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William John Antoniewicz
Dec 8, 1974
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Robert Bay Hutchings
Jul 20, 1976
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Ray Lynn Pierson
Nov 7, 1978
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Daniel W. Harris
Aug 25, 1982
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Joseph Samuel Brumett, III
Dec 11, 1992
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Dennis Lavelle Lund
Jun 16, 1993
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Charles D. Warren
May 16, 1994
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Doyle Reed Thorne
Jul 30, 1994
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Randy K. Ingram
Oct 5, 1994
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Thomas Sumner Rettberg
Feb 11, 2000
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Aaron Robert Beesley
Jun 30, 2012
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Eric Dale Ellsworth
Nov 22, 2016
Military Service
Robert Bay Hutchings served in the United States military before joining law enforcement.
Visit Robert Bay Hutchings’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 30-W
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Also Remembered
Others Who Wore This Badge
15 officers from Utah Highway Patrol are honored on badge.nw.
