William J. Antoniewicz

"Standing Tall for Utah"

A Tower of Strength

William "Bill" Antoniewicz was a man who commanded presence. Standing 6 feet 4 inches tall, he was known affectionately by his colleagues simply as "Big Bill"—a man whose commanding physical presence was matched only by his kindness. A native of New Bedford, Massachusetts, he joined the Utah Highway Patrol in July 1974, just two weeks before his 27th birthday.

Bill was assigned to the Echo Port of Entry. In the 1970s, state law allowed agencies to hire officers and assign them duties prior to attending the police academy (POST). Though Bill had not yet attended the academy, he was a dedicated learner scheduled for an upcoming session. Living in a mobile home near Echo Junction, he took his duties seriously, driving his patrol car 40 miles from the Coalville office to the Port for every shift.

End of Watch: December 8, 1974

On a cold Sunday night shortly after 10:00 p.m., Trooper Antoniewicz was en route to pick up his sergeant. Although his primary assignment was the Port of Entry, he spotted a speeding vehicle on Interstate 80, nine miles east of Echo Junction, and initiated a traffic stop.

The stop turned into an immediate ambush. As Trooper Antoniewicz approached the vehicle, the driver fired two rounds from a .38 caliber revolver. The attack was so sudden that when a truck driver, John W. Dodds, found Bill moments later, the trooper's .357 magnum was still strapped in its holster. Bill was found lying near his patrol car with the emergency lights still flashing; he succumbed to his injuries before he could describe his attacker.

The Long Road to Justice

With no witnesses and little evidence, the case went cold. For 18 months, investigators hit dead ends. It wasn't until a reward was offered in 1976 that a tip came in from Wyoming, identifying the shooter as Emory Dean Beck.

Beck was a fugitive who had just broken a friend out of jail in Wyoming on the night of the murder. He had told an associate he "had to book it like hell and God help any cop that stopped him." Facing a retrial after a hung jury, Beck pleaded guilty to second-degree murder in 1977 and was sentenced to prison.

A Legacy of Preparedness

Trooper Antoniewicz was just 27 years old. He was survived by his parents and his sister, Joanne, who remembered him as a "big, loving teddy bear."

Trooper Antoniewicz is remembered by his parents and sister, who honor his memory as a loving and dedicated individual. His service is commemorated on the Utah Highway Patrol Fallen Trooper Memorial and in law enforcement histories across the state.

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