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Incident
Sergeant Pierce succumbed to a gunshot wound received four months earlier when he and his partner attempted to question two suspicious men on State Street between 5th and 6th Streets. One of the men suddenly produced a handgun and shot Sergeant Pierce. The suspect then attacked the other officer and beat him severely. The two men escaped but were later apprehended. The shooter was sentenced to death and executed by firing squad on February 20, 1925.
Survivors
Sergeant Pierce had been with the agency for 17 years and was survived by his wife.
In Our Keeping
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- 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.
Sergeant Pierce gave the Salt Lake City Police Department 17 years.
Thank you for your service to the Salt Lake City community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Sergeant Pierce.
— 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.
Nephi is one of 84 officers killed feloniously in UT, 60.9% of the 138 remembered there.
Nephi is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Nephi 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 1923, 2 officers at Salt Lake City Police Department were killed feloniously, more than in any other year.
In 1923, 2 officers in UT were killed feloniously, the 3rd heaviest of 62 years on record. The heaviest was 1913, with 6.
In 1923, 199 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 14th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1923, 200 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 16th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Nephi had served 17 years; the middle length of service was 6.5 years.
Nephi had served 17 years; the middle length of service was 5 years.
Nephi had served 17 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Nephi had served 17 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
March holds 7.1% of these deaths at Salt Lake City Police Department; October holds the most, 21.4%. Mondays: 14.3%.
March holds 3.6% of these deaths in UT; May holds the most, 14.3%. Mondays: 11.9%.
March holds 7.5% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Mondays: 13.8%.
March holds 7.8% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Mondays: 13.8%.
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 handgun, in 57.1% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 60.9% of all 138 deaths in UT, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 31% 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 handgun, in 23.4% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 52% of all 33,917 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 20.9% of these deaths.
His people
Salt Lake City Police Department has 23 officers remembered here, Nephi among them.
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William Cooke Oct 18, 1858
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Andrew H. Burt
Aug 25, 1883
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Alonzo M. Wilson
Apr 12, 1894
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Charles S. Ford
Dec 14, 1907
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Charles C. Riley
Oct 5, 1909
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John H. Johnston
Jul 8, 1911
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Thomas F. Griffiths
Jun 25, 1913
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Green B. Hamby
Feb 8, 1921
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Nephi P. Pierce
Mar 26, 1923
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David H. Crowther
Oct 12, 1923
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Nolan W. Huntsman
Feb 15, 1924
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Brigham H. Honey
Feb 16, 1924
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Gustave J. Lund
Aug 25, 1924
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Rollin R. Tanner
Sep 10, 1927
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Carl J. Carlson
Mar 9, 1929
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Blaine L. Baxter
Sep 4, 1935
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Thomas W. Stroud
Jan 5, 1951
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Owen T. Farley
May 23, 1951
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Harold A. Peterson, Sr.
Oct 27, 1954
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Percy Lindsay Clark
Jan 11, 1973
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Ronald L. Heaps
Jan 13, 1982
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Michael J. Dunman
Jul 17, 2000
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James E. Faraone
Sep 18, 2001
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 48-W
What is kept
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Others Who Wore This Badge
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