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Incident
Patrolman George Van Wagenen succumbed to injuries received when he fell onto a large circular saw during a stolen vehicle investigation. The saw severed his right side causing massive internal injuries. He succumbed to those injuries later in the day. Patrolman Van Wagenen was the first full-time patrol officer hired for the Utah Highway Patrol. He had served with the Utah Highway Patrol for three years and had been in law enforcement for six years.
Survivors
He 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.
Patrolman Van Wagenen gave the Utah Highway Patrol 6 years.
Thank you for your service to the people of Utah. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Patrolman Van Wagenen.
— 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.
George is one of 49 officers lost to accidents in UT, 35.5% of the 138 remembered there.
George is one of 8,275 officers lost to accidents in the United States, 30% of the 27,551 remembered there.
George 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 1931, 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 1931, 1 officer in UT was lost to accidents, the 7th heaviest of 42 years on record. The heaviest was 1987, with 3.
In 1931, 100 officers in the United States were lost to accidents, the 6th heaviest of 174 years on record. The heaviest was 1929, with 118.
In 1931, 115 officers worldwide were lost to accidents, the 6th heaviest of 200 years on record. The heaviest was 1930, with 131.
Who
George was 42. 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. George had served 6 years; the middle length of service was 12 years.
George was 42. 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. George had served 6 years; the middle length of service was 7 years.
George was 42. 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. George had served 6 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
George was 42. Of the 9,451 lost to accidents worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 45; the middle age was 36. George had served 6 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
May holds 11.1% of these deaths at Utah Highway Patrol; October holds the most, 11.1%. Saturdays: 33.3%.
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 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 29.6% of all 34,117 deaths worldwide, the 2nd most common cause.
His people
Utah Highway Patrol has 16 officers remembered here, George among them.
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George Edwin Van Wagenen
May 23, 1931
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Armond A. Luke
Dec 3, 1959
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George Dee Rees
Jul 2, 1960
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John R. Winn
Sep 22, 1971
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William John Antoniewicz
Dec 8, 1974
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Robert Bay Hutchings
Jul 20, 1976
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Ray Lynn Pierson
Nov 7, 1978
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Daniel W. Harris
Aug 25, 1982
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Joseph Samuel Brumett, III
Dec 11, 1992
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Dennis Lavelle Lund
Jun 16, 1993
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Charles D. Warren
May 16, 1994
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Doyle Reed Thorne
Jul 30, 1994
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Randy K. Ingram
Oct 5, 1994
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Thomas Sumner Rettberg
Feb 11, 2000
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Aaron Robert Beesley
Jun 30, 2012
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Eric Dale Ellsworth
Nov 22, 2016
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 4-E
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.
