Sergeant Owen T. Farley

Sergeant Owen T. Farley

Salt Lake City Police Department, Utah

End of Watch Wednesday, May 23, 1951

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Owen T. Farley

Sergeant Farley was shot and killed while transporting two suspects to police headquarters for questioning. Sergeant Farley had been conducting surveillance of a suspicious vehicle on South State Street after receiving information that it belonged to a robbery suspect. He stopped a man and woman who approached the car and began to question them. He handcuffed the male suspect in front and was going to take them to the police station in his patrol car but the car broke down. He instead drove the suspect's vehicle. During the ride to the station the man produced a .38 caliber handgun from his front coat pocket and shot Sergeant Farley in the side.

The suspect fled the scene and was apprehended a short time later hiding in a locker. The man was convicted of the murder and executed by firing squad at the Utah State Prison on July 1, 1955.

Sergeant Farley had been with the agency for ten years.

Bio

  • Age Not available
  • Tour 10 years
  • Badge Not available

Incident Details

  • Cause Gunfire
  • Weapon Gun; Unknown type
  • Offender Executed in 1955

Most Recent Reflection

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I echo the words of officer Zambito. However as an amateur genealogist with many relatives in the Salt Lake area of Utah, I am perhaps a little more interested than some.
I am English and live in Derby in the United Kingdom. I have known about my American relatives for quite some years, but it was only today that I came across the story of officer Farley and I was stunned to read that a relative of mine - he was a 3rd cousin twice removed - had been shot in the course of his duties. As you will appreciate I found his story both fascinating and sad, even after all these years.
May I extend my sympathies to Officer Farley's relatives and descendents.

Civilian: David R Cross
3rd Cousin, 2x removed

May 25, 2015

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