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Charles Gilbert Porter
Incident
Officer Porter was struck and killed by a train while checking fishing licenses along the Weber River near Stoddard, Utah. He moved from one set of tracks to another set as a train approached. As a result of the noise of the train, he did not hear another train approaching from the opposite direction on the set of tracks he just stepped onto. He was struck by the oncoming Union Pacific Railroad train. Officer Porter had served with the Division of Wildlife Resources for 20 years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife, four daughters, two sons, and 13 grandchildren.
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
20 years. You could have gone home.
Conservation Officer Porter gave the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources 20 years. Still answering calls at the end.
Thank you for your service to the Salt Lake City community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Conservation Officer Porter.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Accident
Utah Division of Wildlife Resources has lost 3 officers; 1 of them lost to accidents.
Charles is one of 49 officers lost to accidents in UT, 35.5% of the 138 remembered there.
Charles is one of 8,275 officers lost to accidents in the United States, 30% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Charles 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 1970, 1 officer in UT was lost to accidents, the 7th heaviest of 42 years on record. The heaviest was 1987, with 3.
In 1970, 90 officers in the United States were lost to accidents, the 13th heaviest of 174 years on record. The heaviest was 1929, with 118.
In 1970, 107 officers worldwide were lost to accidents, the 9th heaviest of 200 years on record. The heaviest was 1930, with 131.
Who
Charles was 59. 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. Charles had served 20 years; the middle length of service was 7 years.
Charles was 59. 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. Charles had served 20 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Charles was 59. Of the 9,451 lost to accidents worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 45; the middle age was 36. Charles had served 20 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
May holds 6.1% of these deaths in UT; July holds the most, 14.3%. Saturdays: 24.5%.
May holds 8.6% of these deaths in the United States; August holds the most, 9.5%. Saturdays: 14.9%.
May holds 8.4% of these deaths worldwide; August holds the most, 9.3%. Saturdays: 14.7%.
How
Accident deaths account for 33.3% of all 3 deaths at Utah Division of Wildlife Resources, 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 Division of Wildlife Resources has 3 officers remembered here, Charles among them.
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 30-W
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
2 officers from Utah Division of Wildlife Resources are honored on badge.nw.
