Prev
Incident
Officer Wagstaff was beaten to death while supervising an early morning work crew on a dairy farm. Two inmates attacked Officer Wagstaff with a pair of hoof clippers and beat him severely. They then buried him in a pile of grain, causing him to suffocate. The two inmates attempted to flee but were arrested a short time later. One of the inmates was convicted of the murder and was later paroled. Officer Wagstaff had served with the Department of Corrections for 13 years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife, two children, and seven grandchildren.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
neuraspine_01krbxtpt71s7p5xm44s13n9ax- 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 Donald. 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.
Correctional Officer Wagstaff gave the Utah Department of Corrections 13 years.
Thank you for your service to the people of Utah. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Correctional Officer Wagstaff.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Utah Department of Corrections has lost 5 officers; 5 of them killed feloniously.
Donald is one of 84 officers killed feloniously in UT, 60.9% of the 138 remembered there.
Donald is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Donald 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 1970, 1 officer at Utah Department of Corrections was killed feloniously, more than in any other year.
In 1970, 1 officer in UT was killed feloniously, the 18th heaviest of 62 years on record. The heaviest was 1913, with 6.
In 1970, 138 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 29th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1970, 142 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 35th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Donald was 56. Of the 5 killed feloniously at Utah Department of Corrections whose age is recorded, half were between 36 and 58; the middle age was 56. Donald had served 13 years; the middle length of service was 13 years.
Donald was 56. Of the 78 killed feloniously in UT whose age is recorded, half were between 32 and 47; the middle age was 39. Donald had served 13 years; the middle length of service was 5 years.
Donald was 56. Of the 14,220 killed feloniously in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 47; the middle age was 38. Donald had served 13 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Donald was 56. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Donald had served 13 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
December holds 20% of these deaths at Utah Department of Corrections; June holds the most, 40%. Wednesdays: 40%.
December holds 7.1% of these deaths in UT; May holds the most, 14.3%. Wednesdays: 11.9%.
December holds 9.4% of these deaths in the United States, more than any other month. Wednesdays: 12.9%.
December holds 9.2% of these deaths worldwide, more than any other month. Wednesdays: 13.2%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 100% of all 5 deaths at Utah Department of Corrections. The weapon recorded was blunt object, in 20% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 60.9% of all 138 deaths in UT, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was blunt object, in 1.2% 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 blunt object, in 1.2% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 52% of all 33,917 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was blunt object, in 1.1% of these deaths.
His people
Utah Department of Corrections has 5 officers remembered here, Donald among them.
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 24-W
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
4 officers from Utah Department of Corrections are honored on badge.nw.
