The Salt Lake City Police Department today remembers the loss of one its own: Officer Harold A. Peterson Jr., killed in the line of duty October 27, 1954.

Officer Peterson was killed in a traffic accident. At approximately 10 a.m., the 54-year-old victim was patrolling on his three-wheel motorcycle. As he entered the intersection of 1300 South and 1300 East, a vehicle driven by an elderly man turned in front of him.

The collision knocked Officer Peterson from his motorcycle, dragged him more than 30 feet, and pinned him beneath the vehicle. He died of severe head trauma.

Officer Peterson was married and the father of a son, who later became a Salt Lake City police officer. He is buried at Wasatch Lawn Memorial Park.

If you have memories or photos of Officer Peterson to share, please email policehistory@slcgov.com or call (801) 799-3340. To learn more about our Fallen Officers, please visit www.slcpd.com. Click on “Honoring Our Own.”

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