Rodney Badger
Rodney Badger (February 4, 1823 – April 29, 1853) was the first Utah law enforcement officer to lose his life during the performance of his sworn duties. He died on April 29, 1853 trying to rescue a family whose wagon had overturned in the Weber River. He successfully rescued four children and their mother and died while trying to rescue two other children.[1]
- For Badger's son, who was a youth leader in the LDS Church, see Rodney C. Badger
Badger was born in Waterford, Vermont and was a convert to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. Badger was a Mormon pioneer and arrived in the Salt Lake Valley with the first company on 24 July 1847. Badger was a special agent for the Perpetual Emigrating Fund Company and was a deputy sheriff of Salt Lake County. He was survived by his wife and four children and he is buried in Salt Lake City Cemetery.[2]
References
- "A Hero that Time Forgot, Rodney Badger". The Utah Peace Officer Drowned Officer Memorial. 30 September 1999. Archived from the original on 26 May 2000. Retrieved 30 December 2019.
- "Deputy Rodney Badger". Utah's Fallen. Retrieved 30 December 2019.
Bibliography
- Andrew Jenson, Latter-day Saint Biographical Encyclopedia, volume 4, "Original Pioneers of Utah"