This specific firearm represents a solemn moment in UHP history. It was carried by Patrolman George E. (Ed) VanWagenen, who was hired on April 11, 1928, and became the first Utah Patrolman killed in the line of duty on May 23, 1931.

The Burial Detail

Patrolman VanWagenen was buried in his uniform at the Provo City Cemetery. However, just prior to the closing of the coffin, a decision was made to remove his badge and this service revolver. This was done specifically to discourage would-be grave robbers from disturbing the fallen officer's resting place.

A Return Home

The weapon remained with the family for nearly 86 years. On October 28, 2017, the family generously donated Ed’s service revolver back to the Utah Highway Patrol, ensuring his legacy is preserved.

This marked the beginning of standardization. According to the Smith & Wesson Historical Foundation, twelve of these revolvers were shipped from the factory on January 21, 1932, delivered to Salt Lake Hardware.

Factory Issued

Unlike previous personal weapons, these were factory stamped with "UTAH HIGHWAY PATROL" and numbered 1 through 12 on the frame. They featured 6.5-inch barrels and were chambered in .44 S&W Special.

The "Safety" Holster

The holster design was unique to the era. It was a cross-draw rig that featured a large metal loop inside the leather. This loop attached to the trigger guard when the weapon was holstered. To draw the weapon, a patrolman had to press down and out—a mechanical retention system designed to prevent loss during physical altercations.

The "Thumb Buster" was a fearsome riot weapon, but it met its match in 1938—an event that changed UHP weaponry forever.

The Price Canyon Shootout

In 1938, Patrolman Jack Sullivan was pursuing two escapees in a pickup truck through Price Canyon. During the high-speed engagement, eleven rounds of 12-gauge ammunition were fired at the fleeing vehicle.

While five rounds struck the back of the truck, none penetrated the stuffing of the rear seat. The suspects were effectively shielded by the vehicle's construction.

The Aftermath

The Utah Highway Patrol determined that more firepower was immediately needed. As a direct result of this failure to penetrate, the duty weapon was changed in 1938 to the newly introduced .357 Magnum revolver, a round designed specifically to punch through auto bodies and ballistic vests.

The .357 Magnum was a new caliber introduced in 1935, available only to police agencies. The UHP adopted it in 1938, and the Model 27 would go on to serve longer than any other handgun in Patrol history.

Evolution of the Carry

The first Magnums were built on the large N-frame with 6-inch barrels. Over time, the form factor changed to suit the needs of the Trooper:

• 1938: 6-inch barrel (Cross-draw holster).
• 1947: Shortened to 4-inch barrels.
• 1953: 3.5-inch barrels introduced.

With the adoption of shorter barrels, the old cross-draw holsters were finally retired in favor of standard right-side hip holsters. While most were the high-polish Model 27 "Bright Blue," a few matte finish Model 28s were also issued.

By 1940, the UHP had purchased three .45 caliber Thompson sub-machine guns. These weapons saw decades of service before being sold in the 1970s during an ill-fated transition to the American 180 M2 (.22 caliber machine gun).

The Criminal Turn

After leaving UHP custody, two of these specific .45 caliber Thompsons were used in the commission of a crime. They were seized by law enforcement and scheduled for destruction.

The Return

The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) traced the serial numbers and realized their historic origin. They contacted the Utah Highway Patrol to ask if they wanted them back. The Patrol accepted, and today, these weapons reside in the DPS Firearms Museum—not as evidence, but as history.

The Remington 870 replaced the Winchester "Thumb Buster" in the 1950s and became a law enforcement standard. However, the UHP had to adapt this classic weapon for specific vehicles and missions.

The "Mustang" Shotgun

From 1985 to 1993, the UHP purchased Ford Mustangs for highway interdiction. Due to the limited interior space, a standard shotgun wouldn't fit. The solution was a Folding Stock Remington 870. The stock hinged at the back of the receiver and folded over the top, allowing it to be stored in zippered pouches attached to the front of the rear seat.

The "Master Key" (SERT)

The Special Emergency Response Team (SERT) utilized modified 870s with pistol grips and bungee cords as breaching tools. These fired "Hatton rounds"—filled with lead powder and clay—designed to disintegrate hinges and locks to force entry into barricaded structures.

Colonel Dennis Nordfelt chose the P7 because it offered the best of both worlds: the safety of a squeeze-cocker and the capacity of a semi-auto. But being the only state agency to use it came at a price.

The Price Explosion

When adopted in 1986, the unit cost was $425. By 1996, the price for a new P7-M13 with night sights had skyrocketed to over $1,100.

The Crime Bill Impact

The 1994 "Omnibus Crime Bill" banned high-capacity magazines for civilians. Since the P7-M13 held 13 rounds, the civilian market vanished overnight. With the market restricted solely to law enforcement—and Utah being the primary user—costs for parts and maintenance became unsustainable.

The MP5 is an icon of 80s tactical teams. The UHP purchased these select-fire (full auto) weapons for SERT and Criminal Interdiction teams.

Cutting Edge Tech

In 1988, several SERT MP5s were issued with laser sights. Although large and cumbersome by today's standards, this was "cutting edge technology" at the time.

Ballistic Fingerprint

The MP5 features a "fluted chamber" to help extract spent casings. This leaves distinct linear carbon striations on the side of the brass, acting as a unique signature for forensics.

Decommissioning

The department briefly transitioned to the UMP .45 before removing all H&K subguns from service around 2001. Today, only three MP5s remain in the Armory, kept solely for historical purposes.

In 1995, the UHP needed to replace the expensive P7. The Glock was evaluated, but administration rejected it, fearing the "Safe Action" system was too close to a single-action trigger for general issue.

The Double-Action Compromise

Colonel Richard Greenwood wanted a Double-Action Only (DAO) weapon for liability reasons. The choice fell on the Beretta Cougar. While safe, it had a major flaw: a notoriously heavy 8-lb trigger pull.

Trooper Feedback

The heavy trigger pull affected accuracy and shooter fatigue. In hindsight, the department admitted the Cougar "did not meet the long-term needs of the Department," leading to a relatively short service life before the inevitable switch to Glock.

Prior to 1995, troopers had to buy their own rifles. That changed when Sgt. Jimmy Maguire leveraged the Federal LESO/1033 program to acquire 250 M-14 rifles.

The $1 Rifle

The UHP obtained these powerful 7.62 NATO rifles for just $1.00 each from the federal government. Interestingly, State Surplus charged an additional $10.00 per rifle just to process the paperwork to add them to the inventory!

A Powerful Upgrade

Originally developed in 1959, the M-14 gave troopers semi-automatic capability with a heavy-hitting round. It was a welcomed addition that served until 2016, when the department surrendered the rifles back to the Department of Defense to end the auditing requirements.