Roll of Honor
Incident
Warden Matthew Burgher succumbed to injuries he received two days earlier when he was assaulted by a group of prisoners who were attempting to escape the Utah Territorial Prison.
The inmates hit Warden Burgher repeatedly with a rock wrapped in a woolen sock.
The inmates were captured, but were able to escape three months later and were never recaptured. During their second escape attempt, the men killed a prisoner who was serving a life sentence for murdering Provo Police Officer Albert H. Bowen in October of 1873.
The inmates were captured, but were able to escape three months later and were never recaptured. During their second escape attempt, the men killed a prisoner who was serving a life sentence for murdering Provo Police Officer Albert H. Bowen in October of 1873.
I am seeking any known relatives of Mathew Burgher. Though he died without children, his father was William H. Burgher and his mother was Anna Jack Burgher. Ken Wallentine krwallentine@gmail.com
Chief Ken Wallentine Utah Attorney General Investigation Division March 9th, 2018
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-UT-2878E2F0- 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 Matthew. 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
150 years is a long time for a name to go unread. Not today.
Warden Burgher served with the Utah Department of Corrections.
Thank you for your service to the people of Utah. Gone but never to be forgotten.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Warden Matthew B. Burgher 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 Utah Department of Corrections, 5 of 5 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 100% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Matthew B. Burgher's cause is highlighted.
How Matthew B. Burgher Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Matthew B. Burgher is highlighted in Mar.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Matthew B. Burgher was killed by blunt object; rock.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
4 officers from Utah Department of Corrections are honored on badge.nw.
