About

He gave his life for you — now you can give something back to him…

On the night of August 4, 2001, Officer Joseph Adams stopped a vehicle near 2100 North 1200 West in Lehi. The 26-year-old officer determined the driver was intoxicated and placed him under arrest.

During a search of the driver, Officer Adams discovered a packet of cocaine. When he attempted to handcuff the driver, the man produced a .22-caliber handgun and began firing. One bullet narrowly missed the officer’s body armor and penetrated his heart.

As the officer fell dying, he returned fire and struck his assailant. The badly wounded suspect managed to drive away. He was located an hour later at a gas station in Draper by paramedics summoned to the scene of his collapse. Officer Adams was pronounced dead at a local hospital. Survived by his wife Cydney and young son, he was laid to rest in the Orem City Cemetary by hundreds of law enforcement personnel still reeling from the July 6, 2001 murder of Roosevelt Police Chief Cecil F. Gurr.

Officer Adams and Chief Gurr joined the ranks of more than 126 police officers killed in the service of Utah since the arrival of the Mormon pioneers. Until recently, a small memorial in the State Capitol Rotunda has honored the sacrifice of these men and women. In 2005, extensive renovations to the State Capitol necessitated the removal of the memorial from the Rotunda. A location on the west side of the Capitol was selected for the contruction of a new memorial. Construction is now complete and the memorial was dedicated on September 6, 2008!

The Utah Law Enforcement Memorial Board of Directors was formed to oversee fundraising and construction of a memorial that will honor the sacrifice of those who have fallen — and those who will. 

Pictured is an artist’s conception of the completed Utah Law Enforcement Memorial. More than $1.3 million was needed for the construction. Donations were being solicited largely from the private sector, but also from the State of Utah. Thank you for helping us meet our goal! If you’d like to help but missed out on the memorial, you can still donate to the endowment fund for the families of fallen officers.

If you would like to contribute to the memory of those who gave everything they had for you, please make your tax-exempt donation today. Use our secure and convenient online donation form, or mail your contribution to:

Utah Law Enforcement Memorial

5671 South Redwood Road, #19
Taylorsville, Utah 84123
801-440-1816

A heartfelt thank you to everyone who has donated to the project thus far. Please click here to see our list of generous donors.