Prev
Incident
Trooper Bill Antoniewicz was shot during a traffic stop for speeding on I-80, eight miles east of Echo Junction. While approaching the vehicle, the suspect shot him several times with a .38-caliber handgun. The man then kicked Trooper Antoniewicz in the face several times before fleeing. Unknown to Trooper Antoniewicz, the subject had stolen evidence in a narcotics case from the Evanston (Wyoming) Jail earlier that evening. Afraid of being arrested, he shot Trooper Antoniewicz. The suspect was apprehended 18 months later. The first trial resulted in a hung jury, and the man pled guilty to a reduced charge of second-degree murder in order to avoid a second trial. He was released after serving 12 years of a 15-year sentence. Trooper Antoniewicz had served with the Utah Highway Patrol for five months.
Survivors
He was survived by his parents and sister.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
neuraspine_01krbxtqgjszr94cp8yx70n799- 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 William. 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 Antoniewicz served with the Utah Highway Patrol.
Thank you for your service to the people of Utah. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Trooper Antoniewicz.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Utah Highway Patrol has lost 16 officers; 7 of them killed feloniously.
William is one of 84 officers killed feloniously in UT, 60.9% of the 138 remembered there.
William is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
William is one of 17,631 officers killed feloniously worldwide, 51.7% of the 34,117 remembered here.
34,117 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1974, 1 officer at Utah Highway Patrol was killed feloniously, more than in any other year.
In 1974, 1 officer in UT was killed feloniously, the 18th heaviest of 62 years on record. The heaviest was 1913, with 6.
In 1974, 162 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 22nd heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1974, 178 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 22nd heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
William was 27. Of the 6 killed feloniously at Utah Highway Patrol whose age is recorded, half were between 27.5 and 36; the middle age was 31. William had served 0.4 years; the middle length of service was 5 years.
William was 27. Of the 78 killed feloniously in UT whose age is recorded, half were between 32 and 47; the middle age was 39. William had served 0.4 years; the middle length of service was 5 years.
William was 27. 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. William had served 0.4 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
William was 27. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. William had served 0.4 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
December holds 28.6% of these deaths at Utah Highway Patrol, more than any other month. Sundays: 14.3%.
December holds 7.1% of these deaths in UT; May holds the most, 14.3%. Sundays: 15.5%.
December holds 9.4% of these deaths in the United States, more than any other month. Sundays: 15.2%.
December holds 9.2% of these deaths worldwide, more than any other month. Sundays: 15.2%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 43.8% of all 16 deaths at Utah Highway Patrol, the 2nd most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 42.9% 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 51.7% of all 34,117 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 20.9% of these deaths.
His people
Utah Highway Patrol has 16 officers remembered here, William 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 49-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.
