The Provo Police Corner

NATIONAL PEACE OFFICERS MEMORIAL CEREMONY

MAY 14^TH, 2012

In 1962, President Kennedy proclaimed May 15^th as National Peace Officers Memorial Day and the calendar week in which May 15th falls as National Police Week.  Provo Police officers, along with Chief Rick Gregory, Mayor John Curtis and several Provo City employees gathered together to remember and pay respect to four Provo Police Officers who were killed in the line of duty.  The morning began with a flag ceremony performed by the Provo Police Honor Guard and comments from both Chief Rick Gregory and Mayor John Curtis. 

While honoring the fallen officers, Chief Rick Gregory said, “Today in Utah we take a moment to reflect, a moment to forget about our calendars, email, cell phones, meetings, and everything else that routinely occupies our time.  We remember the sacrifices our sister and brother officers have endured over the years and pledge to never forget their legacies.” 

The four honored Provo Police Officers are: 

Albert H. Bowen

Chief of Police

Killed in the line of duty

October 15, 1873

Chief of Police Albert Hastings Bowen, a 51-year-old father of nine, was the first police officer in Utah County to lose his life in the line of duty.  During the evening of October 13, 1873, Bowen responded to a call at Stubbs & Dunkley saloon near 400 West Center Street on a report of an intoxicated man waving a gun.  When Bowen attempted to disarm the man, Bowen was shot in the side of the head with a .36 caliber revolver.  Bowen lived for three days, dying on the thirteenth birthday of his eldest son. 

His killer, Harrison Carter, was arrested two months later in Nevada, and convicted of second-degree murder.  Harrison Carter was sentenced to life in prison but was killed in 1876 by a group of prisoners who were escaping from the Utah State Prison. 

Chief Bowen was survived by his wife and nine children. 

William Strong

Provo Police Department

Killed in the line of duty

June 27, 1899
 

Officer Strong was shot and killed after arresting a transient in the city train yard on June 27, 1899.  Shortly after midnight, Officer Strong took the man into custody, unaware that he had burglarized a store in Scofield.  The suspect produced a .38 caliber pistol near the intersection of South Street and J Street and struck Officer Strong in the back of the head, knocking him down.  As Officer Strong attempted to get up, the man pressed the pistol against his chest and shot him in the heart, killing him. The suspect fled but was eventually arrested and charged with murder.  He was convicted of the murder and sentenced to life at hard labor. 

Officer Strong was 59 years old.  He had returned from retirement for the purposes of patrolling the depot at night for vagrants.  Officer Strong was survived by his wife and four children. 

Frank J Tucker

Provo Police Department

Died in the line of duty

June 16, 1904

Officer Tucker died when his duty weapon accidentally discharged on June 16, 1904.  The 35-year-old victim was working a security detail at Elk’s Carnival in Provo.  He was seated in the sheriff’s office in the Utah County building.  As he stood up from his chair to leave, his pistol fell from his back pocket.  When it struck the floor, the weapon discharged.  The bullet entered Tucker just above the hip and apparently ranged upward through his heart.  He succumbed to his injuries before a doctor arrived at the scene.

Mr. Tucker had been confined to his bed for approximately the last six months before this incident with rheumatism.  His shift at the Elk’s Carnival was the first work he had been able to do for the last half year.  Officer Tucker was survived by his wife and four children.

Norman Kim Nisson

Provo police department

Died in the line of duty

January 11, 1995 

Sergeant Norman Kim Nisson was killed in a traffic collision on January 11, 1995.  The 39-year-old victim was serving court papers at approximately 4:00 p.m. in American Fork.  While stopped on 500 East and preparing to make a left turn onto 620 South, his vehicle was struck from behind by another motorist.  The collision forced Officer Nisson’s vehicle into the path of an oncoming vehicle which was travelling south at approximately 50 mph.  Nisson’s vehicle was hit head on by that car.  Sergeant Nisson was survived by his wife and two daughters.

The ceremony culminated with members of the Honor Guard placing a rose at the base of a wreath that bore the names of the fallen officers.  The roses signaled a commitment to never forget those officers who made the ultimate sacrifice and to remind those officers present, if they are ever called upon to sacrifice all, they will not be forgotten.

To celebrate National Police Week, Provo Police Officers and their family members will gather together on Thursday, May 17^th, for the presentation of the annual LeGrand J. Baker and Beth W. Baker Exemplary Service Award.

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 Hours:  The police department lobby and Records office is open to the public Monday through Thursday 7:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.  We are closed to the public after these hours and on weekends and observed holidays.  If you need to speak with an officer, you may contact Dispatch at 801-852-6210 (non-emergency line) or 9-1-1 (emergency line) any time, 24 hours a day.