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Incident
Warden Matthew Burgher succumbed to injuries he received two days earlier when he was assaulted by a group of prisoners who were attempting to escape the Utah Territorial Prison.
The inmates hit Warden Burgher repeatedly with a rock wrapped in a woolen sock.
The inmates were captured, but were able to escape three months later and were never recaptured. During their second escape attempt, the men killed a prisoner who was serving a life sentence for murdering Provo Police Officer Albert H. Bowen in October of 1873.
In Our Keeping
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- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- September 9, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
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Tributes
150 years is a long time for a name to go unread. Not today.
Warden Burgher served with the Utah Department of Corrections.
Thank you for your service to the people of Utah. Gone but never to be forgotten.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Utah Department of Corrections has lost 5 officers; 5 of them killed feloniously.
Matthew is one of 84 officers killed feloniously in UT, 60.9% of the 138 remembered there.
Matthew is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Matthew is one of 17,631 officers killed feloniously worldwide, 52% of the 33,917 remembered here.
33,917 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1876, 1 officer at Utah Department of Corrections was killed feloniously, more than in any other year.
In 1876, 1 officer in UT was killed feloniously, the 18th heaviest of 62 years on record. The heaviest was 1913, with 6.
In 1876, 35 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 149th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1876, 43 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 147th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Matthew was 35. Of the 5 killed feloniously at Utah Department of Corrections whose age is recorded, half were between 36 and 58; the middle age was 56.
Matthew was 35. Of the 78 killed feloniously in UT whose age is recorded, half were between 32 and 47; the middle age was 39.
Matthew was 35. 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.
Matthew was 35. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38.
When
March holds 20% of these deaths at Utah Department of Corrections; June holds the most, 40%. Thursdays: 40%.
March holds 3.6% of these deaths in UT; May holds the most, 14.3%. Thursdays: 14.3%.
March holds 7.5% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Thursdays: 14%.
March holds 7.8% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Thursdays: 14.1%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 100% of all 5 deaths at Utah Department of Corrections. The weapon recorded was blunt object; rock, in 20% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 60.9% of all 138 deaths in UT, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was blunt object; rock, in 1.2% 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 blunt object; rock, in 0% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 52% of all 33,917 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was blunt object; rock, in 0% of these deaths.
His people
Utah Department of Corrections has 5 officers remembered here, Matthew among them.
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 24-E
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
4 officers from Utah Department of Corrections are honored on badge.nw.
