End of Watch:
June 27, 1899
Age: 59
Provo Police Department
Homicide: Handgun
Officer William Strong was murdered by a transient he arrested in the city train yard.
Officer Strong had returned from retirement for the purpose of patrolling the depot at night for vagrants. Shortly after midnight, Officer Strong took a man into custody, unaware that he had burglarized a store in Scofield. At 400 S. University Ave., the suspect removed a .38-caliber revolver from his bedroll and shot the officer through the heart. The suspect fled and managed to elude police for nearly 24 hours. Arrested by guards posted west of the city, he was subsequently convicted of first-degree murder and sentenced to life in prison. In 1902, responding to a Utah Supreme Court decision, the suspect was retried and found not guilty. After serving time for the Scofield burglary, he was paroled in 1912. Married and the father of four children, Officer Strong is buried in Provo City Cemetery.
The bronze memorial name plaque of Officer William Strong is sponsored by the Provo Police Officers Association.