George Edwin "Ed" VanWagenen
"The First to Make the Ultimate Sacrifice"
A Legacy of Service
Born on August 10, 1888, George Edwin “Ed” VanWagenen was an early and pivotal member of the Utah Highway Patrol, helping to lay the foundation for the modern agency. He brought a wealth of law enforcement experience to the state, having previously served as a Provo City police officer for three years.
On April 11, 1928, he became one of the first full-time officers hired by the state. During his service, Patrolman VanWagenen was issued a 1927 Harley Davidson motorcycle and later a 1928 Model A Ford—vital tools that helped him patrol Utah’s rapidly evolving highways and motorways during the department's formative years.
The Incident: May 23, 1931
On the morning of May 23, 1931, Patrolman VanWagenen was conducting a stolen vehicle and stolen property investigation at a residence near Provo, Utah. As he was questioning a suspect in the yard, a tragic accident occurred.
While stepping backward, Patrolman VanWagenen lost his footing and fell onto a large circular saw powered by a running automobile, which was being used to cut firewood. The blade severely wounded his right side, penetrating his liver and lung. He was immediately transported for medical care, but tragically succumbed to his injuries later that same day at the age of 42.
A Family's Sacrifice
Patrolman VanWagenen's passing marked a solemn milestone: he was the first Utah Highway Patrol officer to be killed in the line of duty. He left behind his wife, Johanna, and their five sons.
The VanWagenen family's sacrifice for the state of Utah did not end there. Over a decade later, further tragedy struck when his widow, Johanna, lost her life in a violent incident while working at the Utah State Mental Hospital.
Today, Patrolman George "Ed" VanWagenen is honored on the Utah Highway Patrol Fallen Trooper Memorial and the Utah Law Enforcement Memorial. His courage and dedication as one of Utah's original state patrolmen are permanently remembered with the deepest respect.
Archival Photographs
