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Incident
Officer Thomas Rees was accidentally shot and killed with his own service weapon while conducting training exercises with other officers at the police headquarters at 7839 South 2700 West. Officer Rees and the training officer were practicing techniques to prevent suspects from taking an officer's weapon. The other officer attempted to take Officer Rees' weapon when it discharged and struck him in the chest. Officer Rees was transported to LDS Hospital where he succumbed to the wound two hours later. Officer Rees had served with the West Jordan Police Department for six years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife, two children, and one stepchild.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
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- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Officer Rees gave the West Jordan Police Department 6 years.
Thank you for your service to the West Jordan community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Officer Rees.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Accident
West Jordan Police Department has lost 2 officers; 1 of them lost to accidents.
Thomas is one of 49 officers lost to accidents in UT, 35.5% of the 138 remembered there.
Thomas is one of 8,275 officers lost to accidents in the United States, 30% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Thomas is one of 10,100 officers lost to accidents worldwide, 29.6% of the 34,117 remembered here.
34,117 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1986, 1 officer in UT was lost to accidents, the 7th heaviest of 42 years on record. The heaviest was 1987, with 3.
In 1986, 82 officers in the United States were lost to accidents, the 23rd heaviest of 174 years on record. The heaviest was 1929, with 118.
In 1986, 93 officers worldwide were lost to accidents, the 31st heaviest of 200 years on record. The heaviest was 1930, with 131.
Who
Thomas was 32. Of the 48 lost to accidents in UT whose age is recorded, half were between 31.5 and 51.3; the middle age was 37.5. Thomas had served 6 years; the middle length of service was 7 years.
Thomas was 32. Of the 7,718 lost to accidents in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 46; the middle age was 36. Thomas had served 6 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Thomas was 32. Of the 9,451 lost to accidents worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 45; the middle age was 36. Thomas had served 6 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
February holds 6.1% of these deaths in UT; July holds the most, 14.3%. Sundays: 12.2%.
February holds 7.2% of these deaths in the United States; August holds the most, 9.5%. Sundays: 14%.
February holds 7.2% of these deaths worldwide; August holds the most, 9.3%. Sundays: 14%.
How
Accident deaths account for 50% of all 2 deaths at West Jordan Police Department, the most common cause.
Accident deaths account for 35.5% of all 138 deaths in UT, the 2nd most common cause.
Accident deaths account for 30% of all 27,551 deaths in the United States, the 2nd most common cause.
Accident deaths account for 29.6% of all 34,117 deaths worldwide, the 2nd most common cause.
His people
West Jordan Police Department has 2 officers remembered here, Thomas among them.
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 41-E
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
1 officer from West Jordan Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
