Prev
Incident
Officer Charles Riley was shot and killed while attempting to arrest two robbery suspects in downtown Salt Lake City. The suspects, who had stolen an overcoat from a juvenile, were apprehended in Ogden a week later. One suspect, who admitted to shooting Officer Riley, was convicted of murder and sentenced to life. He was paroled on April 17, 1920. Officer Riley was survived by his wife and child. His unmarked grave finally received a headstone in 2002.
Survivors
Officer Riley was survived by his wife and child.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
neuraspine_01krbxtppt8vrjq2ed112hdftr- Stewardship
- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
Are you family? This record can be claimed and maintained by those who knew Charles. Claim this record.
This page is permanent and free. No fee to view it, no advertising, no tracking, and no account required. It will not be taken down.
Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Special Officer Riley served with the Salt Lake City Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the Salt Lake City community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Special Officer Riley.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Salt Lake City Police Department has lost 23 officers; 14 of them killed feloniously.
Charles is one of 84 officers killed feloniously in UT, 60.9% of the 138 remembered there.
Charles is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,552 remembered there.
Charles 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 1909, 1 officer at Salt Lake City Police Department was killed feloniously, the 3rd heaviest of 12 years on record. The heaviest was 1923, with 2.
In 1909, 1 officer in UT was killed feloniously, the 18th heaviest of 62 years on record. The heaviest was 1913, with 6.
In 1909, 99 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 52nd heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1909, 103 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 62nd heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Charles was 35. Of the 11 killed feloniously at Salt Lake City Police Department whose age is recorded, half were between 35 and 50.5; the middle age was 41.
Charles was 35. Of the 78 killed feloniously in UT whose age is recorded, half were between 32 and 47; the middle age was 39.
Charles was 35. 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.
Charles was 35. Of the 15,853 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38.
When
October holds 21.4% of these deaths at Salt Lake City Police Department, more than any other month. Tuesdays: 14.3%.
October holds 10.7% of these deaths in UT; May holds the most, 14.3%. Tuesdays: 13.1%.
October holds 7.9% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Tuesdays: 13.4%.
October holds 7.8% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Tuesdays: 13.3%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 60.9% of all 23 deaths at Salt Lake City Police Department, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 35.7% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 60.9% of all 138 deaths in UT, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 16.7% 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 gun, in 22.8% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,103 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 20.4% of these deaths.
His people
Salt Lake City Police Department has 23 officers remembered here, Charles among them.
-
William Cooke Oct 18, 1858
-
Andrew H. Burt
Aug 25, 1883
-
Alonzo M. Wilson
Apr 12, 1894
-
Charles S. Ford
Dec 14, 1907
-
Charles C. Riley
Oct 5, 1909
-
John H. Johnston
Jul 8, 1911
-
Thomas F. Griffiths
Jun 25, 1913
-
Green B. Hamby
Feb 8, 1921
-
Nephi P. Pierce
Mar 26, 1923
-
David H. Crowther
Oct 12, 1923
-
Nolan W. Huntsman
Feb 15, 1924
-
Brigham H. Honey
Feb 16, 1924
-
Gustave J. Lund
Aug 25, 1924
-
Rollin R. Tanner
Sep 10, 1927
-
Carl J. Carlson
Mar 9, 1929
-
Blaine L. Baxter
Sep 4, 1935
-
Thomas W. Stroud
Jan 5, 1951
-
Owen T. Farley
May 23, 1951
-
Harold A. Peterson, Sr.
Oct 27, 1954
-
Percy Lindsay Clark
Jan 11, 1973
-
Ronald L. Heaps
Jan 13, 1982
-
Michael J. Dunman
Jul 17, 2000
-
James E. Faraone
Sep 18, 2001
Where the Name Is Cut
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
22 officers from Salt Lake City Police Department are honored on badge.nw. Showing the 16 most recent.
