Incident
Master Police Officer Joseph Shinners was shot and killed in Orem, Utah while attempting to arrest a wanted fugitive at 10:00 p.m.
Investigators had received information that the wanted subject was going to be in the area of a retail store at 50 West University Parkway, in Orem. Members of the Provo Police Department and the Orem Police Department located the subject in the parking lot and attempted to take him into custody. During the arrest the man opened fire, fatally wounding Officer Shinners. The subject was also wounded in the shootout and is in custody.
Officer Shinners was transported to Utah Valley Hospital where he succumbed to his wounds shortly before midnight.
Officer Shinners had served with the Provo Police Department for three years and was posthumously promoted to the rank of Master Police Officer.
Survivors
He is survived by his wife and young son.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-UT-A37DCBB2- Stewardship
- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- April 2, 2026
- Last updated
- July 23, 2026
Honored here by 1 sentinel - 1 tribute.
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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Master Police Officer Shinners gave the Provo Police Department 3 years.
Thank you for your service to the Provo community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Master Police Officer Shinners.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Master Police Officer Joseph William Shinners is one of 17,623 officers killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty across the full record of this memorial — 54.2% of all 32,508 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 6.7 percentage points above the national rate of 54.2%.
At Provo Police Department, 3 of 5 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 60% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Joseph William Shinners's cause is highlighted.
How Joseph William Shinners Compares
Offender Outcome
Shot and wounded
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Joseph William Shinners is highlighted in Jan.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Joseph William Shinners was killed by gun; unknown type.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
4 officers from Provo Police Department are honored on badge.nw.



