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Incident
Sheriff Black was shot and killed as he tried to a settle a dispute between two farmers, also brother-in-laws, over water rights. When Sheriff Black arrived at the farm of one near Ferron with the complainant, the suspect met both and warned them to not get out of their car. As they opened the car doors he opened fire with a shotgun killing both instantly. He then went to the Emery County Sheriff's Office and was jailed after he told the sheriff what he had done. The suspect, 39, was convicted of two counts of second degree murder and sentenced to life. On January 17, 1942, his sentence was commuted to 20 years. He was paroled on June 1, 1943.
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Honored here by 1 tribute.
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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Sheriff Black served with the Emery County Sheriff's Office.
Thank you for your service to the Castle Dale community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Sheriff Black.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Emery County Sheriff's Department has lost 3 officers; 1 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, 52% of the 33,917 remembered here.
33,917 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1936, 1 officer in UT was killed feloniously, the 18th heaviest of 62 years on record. The heaviest was 1913, with 6.
In 1936, 136 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 31st heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1936, 136 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 38th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
William was 33. Of the 78 killed feloniously in UT whose age is recorded, half were between 32 and 47; the middle age was 39.
William was 33. 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 was 33. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38.
When
August holds 13.1% of these deaths in UT; May holds the most, 14.3%. Saturdays: 19%.
August holds 8.9% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Saturdays: 16.3%.
August holds 8.6% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Saturdays: 16.2%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 33.3% of all 3 deaths at Emery County Sheriff's Department, the 2nd most common cause. The weapon recorded was shotgun, in 100% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 60.9% of all 138 deaths in UT, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was shotgun, in 4.8% 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 shotgun, in 7% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 52% of all 33,917 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was shotgun, in 6.3% of these deaths.
His people
Emery County Sheriff's Department has 3 officers remembered here, William among them.
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 34-W
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
2 officers from Emery County Sheriff's Department are honored on badge.nw.
