Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

Man paroled after 40 years for killing Utah trooper is arrested again

Posted on January 22, 2021
Deseret News

SALT LAKE CITY — A man who was paroled less than a year ago from the Utah State Prison after serving more than 40 years for killing a Utah Highway Patrol trooper has been arrested again.

Brian Keith Stack, 60, was booked into the Salt Lake County Jail on Thursday for investigation of enticing a minor, dealing in harmful materials to a minor and sexual exploitation of a minor.

Stack shot and killed UHP trooper Ray Lynn Pierson on Nov. 7, 1978, after being pulled over on state Route 20 for a minor traffic violation. Pierson was unaware that Stack was a fugitive from Illinois and had just stolen gas in Cove Fort.

Stack was arrested following a chase during which he hit a police car set up as part of a blockade. A total of 87 bullet holes fired by officers were later counted in Stack’s car, including 11 in the windshield. Amazingly, Stack survived with only minor injuries.

He eventually pleaded guilty to the equivalent of aggravated murder in exchange for prosecutors not seeking the death penalty. At the time he was sentenced, life in prison without the possibility of parole was not an option for Utah judges.

In February 2019, Stack went before the Utah Board of Pardons and Parole to plead his case for parole, which was later granted. He was released from the prison on Feb. 17, 2020.

Stack began chatting with an undercover officer posing as a 14-year-old girl on a social media app earlier this month on Jan. 2, according to a police affidavit.

“Brian continued the message conversation and eventually began to request sexual acts from the female,” the affidavit states. “Brian requested nude photographs several times from the female and suggested he take nude pics of the female when they met.”

Stack also sent his own explicit pictures, according to the affidavit. He arranged to meet the “girl” on Thursday in Salt Lake City. When he arrived he was arrested by police.

Retired Police Officer
NYPD

January 23, 2021

Rest in peace Trooper Pierson.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

July 19, 2019

Trooper Pierson,
On today, the 40th anniversary of your death I would just like to say thank you for your service and sacrifice for the citizens of the state of Utah. And to your Family and loved ones, I wish to extend my deepest sympathy.

R.I.P.
USBP

Anonymous
United States Border Patrol

November 7, 2018

Your legacy left a lasting impact on a 22 year old news reporter. Thanks!

Bonnie Esplin Boyce
KSL TV, 1978-79

October 21, 2018

RIP Trooper Pierson. 35 years ago today you gave your life protecting the people of Utah and the United States. Thank you for your service.

Anonymous

November 7, 2013

Your heroism and service is honored today, the 32nd anniversary of your death. Your memory lives and you continue to inspire. Thank you for your service. My cherished son Larry Lasater was a fellow police officer murdered in the line of duty on April 24, 2005 while serving as a Pittsburg, CA police officer.

How proud you must be that your family continues your legacy of protecting and serving.


Rest In Peace

Phyllis Loya

Phyllis Loya
mother of fallen officer Larry Lasater

November 7, 2010

Rest in peace Trooper.

Trooper
Michigan State Police

November 16, 2009

As I visited the site today you were listed as a fallen hero on the main page. I am honoured to remember your service as I go about my day today.

Rest Easy Troop.

Sergeant
Royal Canadian Mounted Police

June 14, 2009

Trooper Pierson, I rode in the PUT several years ago in your honor. I sent the bracelet to your son Deputy Clint Pierson. I hope he will join us and ride in your honor someday. SSA Ellen Pierson

SSA Ellen Pierson
US ICE

April 1, 2008

"The Badge"

He starts his shift each day
To respond to calls unknown.
He drives a marked patrol car.
A police officer he is known.

He's paid by the citizens' taxes
To make it safe on the streets.
But he usually has a second job
'Cause a waitress has his salary beat.

Now he doesn't know a holiday
'Cause he works all year round.
And when Thanksgiving and Christmas finally arrive
At his home he cannot be found.

He's cursed and assaulted often,
The one whos blood runs blue.
He seldom ever gets a thanks,
To some he's just a fool.

His friends are always other cops
'Cause people just don't understand
That underneath his badge and gun,
He's just another man.

He knows there might not be a tomorrow
In this world of drugs and crime.
And he gets so mad at the court system
'Cause the crooks don't get any time.

And each day when he leaves for work,
He prays to God above.
Please bring me home after my shift
So I can see the ones I love.

But tonight he stops a speeding car,
He's alone down this ole' highway.
It's just a little traffic infraction.
He does it everyday.

Well, he walks up to the driver's window,
And his badge is shining bright.
He asked the guy for a driver's license,
When a shot rang through the night.

Yes, the bullet hit its mark,
Striking the officer in the chest.
But the Department's budget didn't buy
Each officer a bullet-proof vest.

So he lay on the ground bleeding.
His blood wasn't blue - His blood was red.
And briefly he thought of his loved ones
'Cause in a moment the officer was dead.

In the news they told the story
Of how this officer had died.
And some who listened cared less,
But those who loved him cried.

Well, they buried him in uniform
With his badge pinned on his chest.
He even had his revolver,
He died doing his best.

Written By:
David L. Bell
Sergeant
Richland County Sheriff's Department
Columbia, South Carolina
Used with Special Permission of the Author
Copyright © 1993 - All Rights Reserved
and may not be duplicated without permission

Investigator David L Bell
Richland County Sheriff's Dept., Columbia, SC

March 31, 2008

Thanks Clint and to everyone else fighting the good fight to keep the roadside memorials in place as they were. Keep the story alive in the media. It seems to us the citizens of Utah have the duty and right to decide how to memorialze their own.

illinois citizen

November 27, 2007

You are remembered today and thank you Sir for your service

VanDenBerghe
NH

November 3, 2007

I did know Lynn: he was my best friend for 29 years. As infants we shared the same loving household; as young children we went off on great adventures in each other’s company such as learning the mysteries of that foreign country called school and how to balance on a two-wheeled bicycle and pedal, all at the same time. As adolescents we shared secrets and Dick Hardy’s sure-fire fishing tricks as well as his techniques for manure management. As teenagers we abused one another’s emotions, but always offered support and took pride in each others accomplishments. As adults we were separated by our individual lives but never lost sight of the love and kinship we shared.

I mourn his death but celebrate his life. To life! Joan

Joan Hardy-Pope
Lynn's same-age aunt

June 10, 2006

Troop, may your children grow up knowing that the world is not as evil as it seems and may God allow you to rest in peace.

God bless you and yours, sir.

ROSS COUNTY OHIO SHERIFF DEPARTMENT
CHILLICOTHE OHIO POLICE DEPARTMENT

July 11, 2005

DAY IS DONE
GONE THE SUN,
FROM THE HILLS, FROM THE LAKE, FROM THE SKIES.
ALL IS WELL SAFELY REST,
GOD IS NIGH.

GO TO SLEEP, PEACEFUL SLEEP,
MAY THE SOLDIER, OR THE SAILOR, GOD KEEP.
ON THE LAND OR THE DEEP,
SAFE IN SLEEP.

LOVE, GOOD NIGHTM,
MUST THOU GO,
WHEN THE DAY, AND THE NIGHT NEED THEE SO?
ALL IS WELL, SPEEDETH ALL
TO THEIR REST.

FADES THE LIGHT;
AND AFAR
GOETH DAY, AND THE STARS SHINETH BRIGHT,
FARE THEE WELL; DAY IS GONE,
NIGHT IS ON.

THANKS AND PRAISE,
FOR OUR DAYS,
'NEATH THE SUN, 'NEATH THE STARS, 'NEATH THE SKY.
AS WE GO THIS WE KNOW,
GOD IS NIGH.

It is said that EVIL flourishes when good men do nothing.

To the family of this brave officer who gave all so that others might live, I extend my deepest sympathy and gratitude for your continued sacrifice.

To those of us who were left behind who still wear the badge, the mission continues... tomorrow is another Tour Of Duty... May God comfort you with the knowledge that you DO make a differance.

Detective Troy S. Pilivi
Box Elder Narcotics Strike Force (Utah)

November 7, 2004

Trooper Pierson . . . you are a true warrior . . a true hero. With utmost respect and brother love, Jim Crotty (Former Richmond, VA Police Officer.)

Jim Crotty, Special Agent (Ret.)
Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco & Firearms

October 21, 2004

Trooper Pierson....
Your four years of service with this department will never be forgotten, nor will the ultimate sacrifice which you made in the name of law enforcement and on behalf of the citizens of Utah. Rest in peace, and may God bless and keep you always and forever. Those of us in the brown shirts today will continue to keep the watch in your absence. May God bless your family and friends who remain and who undoubtedly still mourn your loss.
God bless always...
Trooper Mark Shepherd / UHP

Trooper Mark Shepherd
UHP

May 25, 2004

I have gone on highway 20 many times and I have passed the cross that has been placed there for you. Thank you for your service to the State of Utah. May God bless your Family.

Det. S. Ferrell
Lehi Police Dept. Ut.

Like so many we've lost before and after you Lynn. You will NEVER be forgotten!! Hope you, Monty and Deputy Jones are just having a grand ol' time where ever you are. I never knew you or Monty. But I know your kids and they surely are carrying your legacy and name well.

Kirsten

Rest easy, Troop. Your death avenged, we still fight for you; for justice.

Deputy M. Moore
Warren County S.O. (OH)

I met your son at the funeral of Garfield County Deputy Sheriff David Jones. He is serving with that agency as a deputy sheriff. You should be proud of him, he is not afraid. He carries on you name a legacy well.

Anonymous