In Memoriam: Sergeant Owen T. Farley

Sergeant Farley was shot and killed by a robbery suspect on May 23, 1951.

The 37-year-old victim had staked out a car parked near 300 South State Street, a car investigators believed was used in an Ogden robbery. When a man and a woman returned to the vehicle, Sgt. Farley arrested them.

Because his police car had vapor-locked, the suspect’s car was used for transportation. The male suspect was handcuffed and placed in the middle of the front seat, with the female passenger on his right.

As Sgt. Farley was driving northbound near 260 South State, the male suspect produced a handgun hidden in the seat and shot the victim in the stomach. Farley died a short time later at a hospital.

The male suspect was found hiding in a business at 500 S. Main. The female suspect was arrested in a Wendover hotel room. She testified against the male suspect, who was subsequently executed by firing squad in 1955.

Sgt. Farley was married and the father of three children. He is buried in the Heber City Cemetery.

If you have memories or photos of Sgt. Farley to share, please email policehistory@slcgov.com or call (801) 799-3340.

The Police Department wishes to thank the Utah Law Enforcement Memorial for its assistance in this remembrance.