Armond A. "Monty" Luke
"23 Years of Dedicated Public Service"
A Life of Service
Born on April 8, 1905, Armond A. Luke—known warmly to his friends and colleagues as "Monty"—was a man deeply dedicated to his community. He was hired by the Utah Highway Patrol on August 1, 1936, serving during a pivotal era of the department's growth.
For more than two decades, Trooper Luke patrolled Utah's highways with distinction. By 1959, he was a highly respected 23-year veteran of the force, wearing Badge Number 12 and actively committed to keeping the roadways safe for his fellow citizens.
The Incident: December 3, 1959
Late in the evening of December 3, 1959, Trooper Luke was traveling northbound on U.S. Highway 89, about six miles south of Circleville, Utah. Investigators determined he was traveling at a high rate of speed, likely in pursuit of a traffic violator, when a herd of deer suddenly crossed the darkened roadway.
Attempting to avoid a collision, Trooper Luke swerved. His patrol vehicle sheared off two large posts, rolled down a steep embankment, and plunged into the frigid waters of the Sevier River. At approximately 11:30 p.m., a passing truck driver spotted the partially submerged cruiser, its red lights still flashing in the night. Trooper Luke had been thrown from the vehicle during the crash. Searchers later recovered his body from the river; while he had sustained head injuries, the primary cause of his passing was drowning.
A Family's Sacrifice
Trooper Luke was 54 years old at the time of his passing. He left behind his wife, Wilma, and their five children—four sons and one daughter. He was only the second trooper in the history of the Utah Highway Patrol to lose his life in the line of duty.
Today, Trooper Armond "Monty" Luke rests in the Manti City Cemetery. His sacrifice is permanently memorialized on the Utah Law Enforcement Memorial. Furthermore, a 14-foot memorial cross bearing his name stands proudly along Interstate 15 in Southern Utah—a constant, solemn reminder to passing motorists of the ultimate sacrifice he made to protect the state.
Archival Photographs
