Roll of Honor
Incident
Patrolman Charles Ford was shot and killed when he encountered three robbery suspects near the intersection of Fifth West Avenue and Second South Street at 2:30 a.m. He was on patrol when the three men, fleeing from a robbery at a nearby hotel, encountered him. The men immediately held him at gunpoint and told him to put up his hands. He was shot in the chest when he attempted to draw his service weapon. The three suspects fled the scene but were eventually apprehended and charged with Patrolman Ford's murder. One of the suspects, who had just been released from the penitentiary, was convicted of first-degree murder and sentenced to life in prison. He was paroled on June 20, 1918. While in prison, he contracted tuberculosis and died a year later in Fresno, California. Patrolman Ford had served with the Salt Lake City Police Department for one year and four days. He had just been appointed on December 10, and previously served with the agency in 1892.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and daughter.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-UT-A0CF8319- 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
You barely got started.
Patrolman Ford gave the Salt Lake City Police Department 1 year.
Thank you for your service to the Salt Lake City community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Patrolman Ford.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Patrolman Charles S. Ford is one of 1 officers killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty across the full record of this memorial — 0% of all 97,772 officers honored here.
In UT, 84 of 138 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 60.9% of this state's fallen. That is 60.9 percentage points above the national rate of 0%.
At Salt Lake City Police Department, 14 of 23 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 60.9% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Charles S. Ford's cause is highlighted.
How Charles S. Ford Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Charles S. Ford is highlighted in Dec.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Charles S. Ford was killed by gun.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
22 officers from Salt Lake City Police Department are honored on badge.nw. Showing the 16 most recent.
