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Incident
Deputy Sheriff Leon May drowned in the Bear River while participating in a search of a drowning victim.
The boat he was riding in capsized near Bigler Bridge after striking a drag line that had been set out as part of the search. He and the other occupant of the boat were both thrown into the water. Other rescuers were able to pull them from the river. The other man was revived but rescuers were not able to revive Deputy May.
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
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Deputy Sheriff May gave the Box Elder County Sheriff's Office 8 years.
Thank you for your service to the Brigham City community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Deputy Sheriff May.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Accident
Leon is the only officer of Box Elder County Sheriff's Office remembered here.
Leon is one of 49 officers lost to accidents in UT, 35.5% of the 138 remembered there.
Leon is one of 8,275 officers lost to accidents in the United States, 30% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Leon 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 1953, 1 officer in UT was lost to accidents, the 7th heaviest of 42 years on record. The heaviest was 1987, with 3.
In 1953, 54 officers in the United States were lost to accidents, the 86th heaviest of 174 years on record. The heaviest was 1929, with 118.
In 1953, 62 officers worldwide were lost to accidents, the 86th heaviest of 200 years on record. The heaviest was 1930, with 131.
Who
Leon was 54. 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. Leon had served 8 years; the middle length of service was 7 years.
Leon was 54. 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. Leon had served 8 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Leon was 54. Of the 9,451 lost to accidents worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 45; the middle age was 36. Leon had served 8 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
April holds 12.2% of these deaths in UT; July holds the most, 14.3%. Saturdays: 24.5%.
April holds 7% of these deaths in the United States; August holds the most, 9.5%. Saturdays: 14.9%.
April holds 7% of these deaths worldwide; August holds the most, 9.3%. Saturdays: 14.7%.
How
Accident deaths account for 100% of all 1 deaths at Box Elder County Sheriff's Office.
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.
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 42-W
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
0 officers from Box Elder County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.