Prev
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
neuraspine_01krbxtmwcmf0mdmd801537dkk- 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
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Salt Lake City Police Department has lost 23 officers; 14 of them killed feloniously.
Charles is one of 84 officers killed feloniously in UT, 60.9% of the 138 remembered there.
Charles is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Charles 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 1907, 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 1907, 1 officer in UT was killed feloniously, the 18th heaviest of 62 years on record. The heaviest was 1913, with 6.
In 1907, 108 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 46th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1907, 109 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 54th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Charles was 51. 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. Charles had served 1 year; the middle length of service was 6.5 years.
Charles was 51. Of the 78 killed feloniously in UT whose age is recorded, half were between 32 and 47; the middle age was 39. Charles had served 1 year; the middle length of service was 5 years.
Charles was 51. 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. Charles had served 1 year; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Charles was 51. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Charles had served 1 year; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
December holds 7.1% of these deaths at Salt Lake City Police Department; October holds the most, 21.4%. Saturdays: 28.6%.
December holds 7.1% of these deaths in UT; May holds the most, 14.3%. Saturdays: 19%.
December holds 9.4% of these deaths in the United States, more than any other month. Saturdays: 16.3%.
December holds 9.2% of these deaths worldwide, more than any other month. Saturdays: 16.2%.
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, Charles among them.
-
William Cooke Oct 18, 1858
-
Andrew H. Burt
Aug 25, 1883
-
Alonzo M. Wilson
Apr 12, 1894
-
Charles S. Ford
Dec 14, 1907
-
Charles C. Riley
Oct 5, 1909
-
John H. Johnston
Jul 8, 1911
-
Thomas F. Griffiths
Jun 25, 1913
-
Green B. Hamby
Feb 8, 1921
-
Nephi P. Pierce
Mar 26, 1923
-
David H. Crowther
Oct 12, 1923
-
Nolan W. Huntsman
Feb 15, 1924
-
Brigham H. Honey
Feb 16, 1924
-
Gustave J. Lund
Aug 25, 1924
-
Rollin R. Tanner
Sep 10, 1927
-
Carl J. Carlson
Mar 9, 1929
-
Blaine L. Baxter
Sep 4, 1935
-
Thomas W. Stroud
Jan 5, 1951
-
Owen T. Farley
May 23, 1951
-
Harold A. Peterson, Sr.
Oct 27, 1954
-
Percy Lindsay Clark
Jan 11, 1973
-
Ronald L. Heaps
Jan 13, 1982
-
Michael J. Dunman
Jul 17, 2000
-
James E. Faraone
Sep 18, 2001
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 49-W
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
22 officers from Salt Lake City Police Department are honored on badge.nw. Showing the 16 most recent.
