Incident
Detective Sergeant James Utz was killed when his police motorcycle was struck by a vehicle at 3rd and Mulberry streets.
Detective Sergeant Utz had served with the Terre Haute Police Department for 14 years.
In Our Keeping
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- 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.
Detective Sergeant Utz gave the Terre Haute Police Department 14 years.
Thank you for your service to the Terre Haute community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Detective Sergeant Utz.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Accident
Terre Haute Police Department has lost 14 officers; 2 of them lost to accidents.
James is one of 151 officers lost to accidents in IN, 30% of the 503 remembered there.
James is one of 8,275 officers lost to accidents in the United States, 30% of the 27,551 remembered there.
James is one of 10,100 officers lost to accidents worldwide, 29.6% of the 34,117 remembered here.
34,117 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1981, 2 officers in IN were lost to accidents, the 18th heaviest of 85 years on record. The heaviest was 1942, with 4.
In 1981, 63 officers in the United States were lost to accidents, the 68th heaviest of 174 years on record. The heaviest was 1929, with 118.
In 1981, 81 officers worldwide were lost to accidents, the 54th heaviest of 200 years on record. The heaviest was 1930, with 131.
Who
James was 40. Of the 149 lost to accidents in IN whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 47; the middle age was 36. James had served 14 years; the middle length of service was 4.6 years.
James was 40. 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. James had served 14 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
James was 40. Of the 9,451 lost to accidents worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 45; the middle age was 36. James had served 14 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
September holds 9.9% of these deaths in IN; December holds the most, 11.3%. Tuesdays: 23.2%.
September holds 9.2% of these deaths in the United States; August holds the most, 9.5%. Tuesdays: 14.1%.
September holds 9.1% of these deaths worldwide; August holds the most, 9.3%. Tuesdays: 14%.
How
Accident deaths account for 14.3% of all 14 deaths at Terre Haute Police Department, the 2nd most common cause.
Accident deaths account for 30% of all 503 deaths in IN, 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 34,117 deaths worldwide, the 2nd most common cause.
His people
Terre Haute Police Department has 14 officers remembered here, James among them.
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William E. Dwyer
Apr 2, 1908
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Matthew A. Dorley
Jan 23, 1919
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Herbert Long
Feb 9, 1922
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Stephen Kendall
Jan 23, 1924
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Harry Borum
Nov 23, 1924
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Herman F. Harms
Jan 25, 1925
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Walter Lanfair
Aug 3, 1934
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Wayne E. Jones
Jun 25, 1951
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Clarence D. Thompson
Mar 8, 1964
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James William Utz
Sep 15, 1981
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Harold Lee Rogers
Jun 16, 1984
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Brent Daniel Long
Jul 11, 2011
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Robert Shawn Pitts
May 4, 2018
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Gregory Joseph Ferency
Jul 7, 2021
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 51-E
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
13 officers from Terre Haute Police Department are honored on badge.nw.












