Roll of Honor
Incident
Sheriff Black was shot and killed as he tried to a settle a dispute between two farmers, also brother-in-laws, over water rights. When Sheriff Black arrived at the farm of one near Ferron with the complainant, the suspect met both and warned them to not get out of their car. As they opened the car doors he opened fire with a shotgun killing both instantly. He then went to the Emery County Sheriff's Office and was jailed after he told the sheriff what he had done. The suspect, 39, was convicted of two counts of second degree murder and sentenced to life. On January 17, 1942, his sentence was commuted to 20 years. He was paroled on June 1, 1943.
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- 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.
Sheriff Black served with the Emery County Sheriff's Office.
Thank you for your service to the Castle Dale community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Sheriff Black.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Sheriff William Levi Black 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 Emery County Sheriff's Dept., 1 of 3 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 33.3% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. William Levi Black's cause is highlighted.
How William Levi Black Compares
Offender Outcome
Paroled in 1943
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. William Levi Black is highlighted in Aug.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. William Levi Black was killed by shotgun.
Others Who Wore This Badge
2 officers from Emery County Sheriff's Dept. are honored on badge.nw.
