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Incident
Deputy Blake Wright was killed when he and a firefighter were caught in the middle of a wildfire that had blown out of control in a state park. The wildfire had been started by a neglected campfire and had spread to over 5,000 acres within two hours. Deputy Wright and a civilian county employee, Ralph Braodhead, were constructing a firebreak with a bulldozer when the fire overwhelmed them. After radio contact was lost, searchers found their bodies near the bulldozer. Deputy Wright is survived by his wife and six children. He is buried in Heber City Cemetery.
Survivors
Deputy Wright is survived by his wife and six children.
In Our Keeping
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- August 2, 2026
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- August 2, 2026
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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Deputy Sheriff Wright served with the Wasatch County Sheriff's Office.
Thank you for your service to the Heber City community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Deputy Sheriff Wright.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Accident
Blake is the only officer of Wasatch County Sheriff's Office remembered here.
Blake is one of 49 officers lost to accidents in UT, 35.5% of the 138 remembered there.
Blake is one of 8,275 officers lost to accidents in the United States, 30% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Blake 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 1990, 1 officer in UT was lost to accidents, the 7th heaviest of 42 years on record. The heaviest was 1987, with 3.
In 1990, 66 officers in the United States were lost to accidents, the 64th heaviest of 174 years on record. The heaviest was 1929, with 118.
In 1990, 87 officers worldwide were lost to accidents, the 43rd heaviest of 200 years on record. The heaviest was 1930, with 131.
Who
Blake was 38. 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.
Blake was 38. 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.
Blake was 38. Of the 9,451 lost to accidents worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 45; the middle age was 36.
When
August holds 10.2% of these deaths in UT; July holds the most, 14.3%. Sundays: 12.2%.
August holds 9.5% of these deaths in the United States, more than any other month. Sundays: 14%.
August holds 9.3% of these deaths worldwide, more than any other month. Sundays: 14%.
How
Accident deaths account for 100% of all 1 deaths at Wasatch County Sheriff's Office.
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.
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 3-E
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
0 officers from Wasatch County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.