Prev
Incident
Trooper Eric Ellsworth succumbed to injuries sustained when he was struck by a vehicle at approximately 9:45 pm on November 18th, 2016.
He had responded to reports of low hanging power lines on Route 13, near 13600 North, in Box Elder County. He was waiting for the local power company to arrive at the scene to repair the line when he observed a semi approaching. As he exited his patrol car to warn the driver of the obstruction he was struck by a vehicle traveling in the opposite direction.
He was flown to Intermountain Medical Center in grave condition. He succumbed to his injuries four days later.
Trooper Ellsworth had served with the Utah Highway Patrol for seven years. He is survived by his wife, three young sons, and parents. His father is a retired Utah Highway Patrol trooper.
Survivors
He is survived by his wife, three young sons, and parents.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
neuraspine_01krbxtnxk09ca3bce0n4fk3m8- 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 Eric. 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
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Trooper Ellsworth gave the Utah Highway Patrol 7 years.
Thank you for your service to the people of Utah. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Trooper Ellsworth.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Accident
Utah Highway Patrol has lost 16 officers; 9 of them lost to accidents.
Eric is one of 49 officers lost to accidents in UT, 35.5% of the 138 remembered there.
Eric is one of 8,275 officers lost to accidents in the United States, 30% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Eric is one of 10,100 officers lost to accidents worldwide, 29.8% of the 33,917 remembered here.
33,917 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 2016, 1 officer at Utah Highway Patrol was lost to accidents, the 2nd heaviest of 8 years on record. The heaviest was 1994, with 2.
In 2016, 1 officer in UT was lost to accidents, the 7th heaviest of 42 years on record. The heaviest was 1987, with 3.
In 2016, 52 officers in the United States were lost to accidents, the 90th heaviest of 174 years on record. The heaviest was 1929, with 118.
In 2016, 52 officers worldwide were lost to accidents, the 101st heaviest of 200 years on record. The heaviest was 1930, with 131.
Who
Eric was 32. Of the 9 lost to accidents at Utah Highway Patrol whose age is recorded, half were between 34 and 52; the middle age was 39. Eric had served 7 years; the middle length of service was 12 years.
Eric 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. Eric had served 7 years; the middle length of service was 7 years.
Eric 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. Eric had served 7 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Eric 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. Eric had served 7 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
November holds 11.1% of these deaths at Utah Highway Patrol; October holds the most, 11.1%. Tuesdays: 11.1%.
November holds 10.2% of these deaths in UT; July holds the most, 14.3%. Tuesdays: 10.2%.
November holds 8.4% of these deaths in the United States; August holds the most, 9.5%. Tuesdays: 14.1%.
November holds 8.6% of these deaths worldwide; August holds the most, 9.3%. Tuesdays: 14%.
How
Accident deaths account for 56.3% of all 16 deaths at Utah Highway Patrol, 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 29.8% of all 33,917 deaths worldwide, the 2nd most common cause.
His people
Utah Highway Patrol has 16 officers remembered here, Eric among them.
-
George Edwin Van Wagenen
May 23, 1931
-
Armond A. Luke
Dec 3, 1959
-
George Dee Rees
Jul 2, 1960
-
John R. Winn
Sep 22, 1971
-
William John Antoniewicz
Dec 8, 1974
-
Robert Bay Hutchings
Jul 20, 1976
-
Ray Lynn Pierson
Nov 7, 1978
-
Daniel W. Harris
Aug 25, 1982
-
Joseph Samuel Brumett, III
Dec 11, 1992
-
Dennis Lavelle Lund
Jun 16, 1993
-
Charles D. Warren
May 16, 1994
-
Doyle Reed Thorne
Jul 30, 1994
-
Randy K. Ingram
Oct 5, 1994
-
Thomas Sumner Rettberg
Feb 11, 2000
-
Aaron Robert Beesley
Jun 30, 2012
-
Eric Dale Ellsworth
Nov 22, 2016
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 32-W
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
15 officers from Utah Highway Patrol are honored on badge.nw.
