Incident
Officer Cooke was shot and killed while working as the night jailer at the Salt Lake City Jail. During his shift two men entered the jail and demanded the release of a prisoner. When Officer Cooke attempted to stop them he was shot in the leg. He succumbed to his wound several days later. The suspect was later shot and killed in Wyoming.
Survivors
Officer Cooke had been with the agency for one year and was survived by his wife and children.
In Our Keeping
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- Added to badge.nw
- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
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Tributes
168 years is a long time for a name to go unread. Not today.
Police Officer Cooke 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.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Salt Lake City Police Department has lost 23 officers; 14 of them killed feloniously.
William is one of 84 officers killed feloniously in UT, 60.9% of the 138 remembered there.
William is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
William is one of 17,631 officers killed feloniously worldwide, 51.7% of the 34,117 remembered here.
34,117 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1858, 1 officer at Salt Lake City Police Department was killed feloniously, the 3rd heaviest of 12 years on record. The heaviest was 1923, with 2.
In 1858, 1 officer in UT was killed feloniously, the 18th heaviest of 62 years on record. The heaviest was 1913, with 6.
In 1858, 16 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 163rd heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1858, 18 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 165th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
William was 55. Of the 11 killed feloniously at Salt Lake City Police Department whose age is recorded, half were between 35 and 50.5; the middle age was 41. William had served 1 year; the middle length of service was 6.5 years.
William was 55. Of the 78 killed feloniously in UT whose age is recorded, half were between 32 and 47; the middle age was 39. William had served 1 year; the middle length of service was 5 years.
William was 55. Of the 14,220 killed feloniously in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 47; the middle age was 38. William had served 1 year; the middle length of service was 6 years.
William was 55. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. William had served 1 year; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
October holds 21.4% of these deaths at Salt Lake City Police Department, more than any other month. Mondays: 14.3%.
October holds 10.7% of these deaths in UT; May holds the most, 14.3%. Mondays: 11.9%.
October holds 7.9% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Mondays: 13.8%.
October holds 7.8% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Mondays: 13.8%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 60.9% of all 23 deaths at Salt Lake City Police Department, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 35.7% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 60.9% of all 138 deaths in UT, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 16.7% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 57.1% of all 27,551 deaths in the United States, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 22.8% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,117 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 20.4% of these deaths.
His people
Salt Lake City Police Department has 23 officers remembered here, William among them.
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William Cooke Oct 18, 1858
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Andrew H. Burt
Aug 25, 1883
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Alonzo M. Wilson
Apr 12, 1894
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Charles S. Ford
Dec 14, 1907
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Charles C. Riley
Oct 5, 1909
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John H. Johnston
Jul 8, 1911
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Thomas F. Griffiths
Jun 25, 1913
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Green B. Hamby
Feb 8, 1921
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Nephi P. Pierce
Mar 26, 1923
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David H. Crowther
Oct 12, 1923
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Nolan W. Huntsman
Feb 15, 1924
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Brigham H. Honey
Feb 16, 1924
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Gustave J. Lund
Aug 25, 1924
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Rollin R. Tanner
Sep 10, 1927
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Carl J. Carlson
Mar 9, 1929
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Blaine L. Baxter
Sep 4, 1935
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Thomas W. Stroud
Jan 5, 1951
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Owen T. Farley
May 23, 1951
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Harold A. Peterson, Sr.
Oct 27, 1954
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Percy Lindsay Clark
Jan 11, 1973
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Ronald L. Heaps
Jan 13, 1982
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Michael J. Dunman
Jul 17, 2000
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James E. Faraone
Sep 18, 2001
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 38-E
Others Who Wore This Badge
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