On April 29, 1853, nearly six years after the settlement of the Salt Lake Valley, Deputy Sheriff Rodney Badger was sent by Territorial Gov. Brigham Young to assist pioneers in fording the Weber River. Several wagons of immigrants were lined up along the river in rank waiting to make the treacherous crossing. The water was ice cold and it was running fast and deep. The first wagon made it safely across. The second wagon, with the immigrant's wife and six children aboard, was too light to make the crossing.
The father was given stern warnings by the wagon master and Deputy Badger to ford the river without his family. These warnings went ignored. As the wagon entered the river, the strong current began to drag it uncontrollably downstream into deeper water. The wagon then overturned spilling the entire family into the frigid waters. Without hesitation, and desperate to save the family, Deputy Badger dove into the river. He was able to save the lives of the mother and four of the children. Continuing to ignore his own safety, Deputy Badger then swam back out to retrieve the remaining two children. Although he was an excellent swimmer and in top physical condition, the elements finally overcame him. Apparently exhausted and suffering from hypothermia, he disappeared from sight. Deputy Rodney Badger died that day.The river also claimed the lives of the two children that Deputy Badger gave his life attempting to save. History does not record what happened to their father.
In a letter informing Badger's wife of the tragedy, William H. Hooper observed, "To offer you condolence for such a loss would be useless, as my feeling while I write overpowers me, and what must yours, his wife, to lose a husband who was beloved by all men who knew him. . . . It is useless to say the shock to me is great and the camp is in gloom. P.S. The mother and four children were saved."
It took almost a year for the Weber River to give back the body of this gallant lawman. When his remains were found downstream, the body of Deputy Badger was then returned to Salt Lake City for burial. To this day, the two children remain a part of the river; their bodies were never found.
Although only 30 years old at the time of his death, Rodney Badger had lived a busy three decades.
He was born Feb. 4, 1823, in Waterford, Vt. He was baptized into the Church in 1839, and ordained an elder in 1845. At the age of 23, he was selected as one of the 143 pioneers sent to seek a new home for the Saints in the Rocky Mountains. They arrived in the Valley of the Great Salt Lake in 1847.
During his lifetime, Rodney Badger held numerous important offices besides that of Great Salt Lake County Deputy Sheriff. He was a special agent of the Perpetual Emigration Fund, a captain in the Life Guards of the Nauvoo Legion, a county constable, and a counselor in the bishopric in the Fifteenth Ward. Had he lived, he would have undoubtedly been called to serve a variety of other significant duties. The most important role that Deputy Badger held, however, was that of husband and father. His five children were now orphaned and his wife a widow. What irony it is that he gave his life rescuing a family that almost mirrored his own. Deputy Rodney Badger died saving lives, as real heroes often do.
Unfortunately, the memory of his deeds dissolved as quickly as the population of the valley grew. He was forgotten except by those that knew him. Today very few people know what he did. The time has come for Rodney Badger to take his rightful place in Utah's history. It's said that cops never forget those officers who gave their lives in the line of duty. Deputy Sheriff Rodney Badger was almost the exception.
The descendants of Rodney Badger had heard of what he did, knew of his heroism, and waited patiently for the recognition he so justly deserved. They waited a long time. One hundred and forty-three years after he died, Rodney Badger's relatives accepted the highest award given by the Salt Lake County Sheriff's Office. On April 25, 1996, the Medal of Honor was awarded to Deputy Sheriff Rodney Badger.
His name is now proudly and forever inscribed on three law enforcement memorials - two in Salt Lake County, and one in the nation's capital. He will never be alone. The names of other brave officers who gave their lives to protect their communities will always be with him.
He was a Salt Lake County Deputy Sheriff, and the first known Utah law enforcement officer to give his life in the line of duty. There would be others after him. There will be more to come.
Salt Lake County Deputy Sheriff Rodney Badger left behind a legacy of dedication to his community, devotion to his family and courage in the face of extreme danger. Law enforcement officers everywhere could not have a better example of what a lawman should strive to be.