Utah Department of Corrections
End of Watch: December 23, 1970

Fifty-five years ago, on December 23, 1970, the Utah Department of Corrections—and the corrections profession as a whole—lost Correctional Officer Don “Donald” Wagstaff, a dedicated officer, husband, father, and grandfather. Today, we honor his sacrifice, remember his legacy, and reaffirm our commitment to ensuring that his story endures.

A Dedicated Public Servant

Correctional Officer Wagstaff served the Utah Department of Corrections for 13 years, working in several posts throughout the system, including maximum security and the prison dairy farm. His assignment at the farm was a natural extension of his personal life; Don was an experienced cattleman who raised livestock on his own farm in American Fork. The role suited him well, combining his professional duties with a lifetime of agricultural skill and discipline.

Colleagues remembered him as steady, hardworking, and deeply committed to maintaining safety and order. He brought with him a calm, practical leadership style that reflected both his rural upbringing and his decades of experience caring for land, animals, and community.

A Tragic Morning on the Prison Farm

On the early morning of December 23, 1970, Officer Wagstaff was supervising a work crew at the Utah State Prison dairy farm when he observed an inmate failing to perform his assigned tasks. What began as a routine moment of supervision quickly escalated.

According to official reports, the inmate attacked Officer Wagstaff using hoof clippers and pieces of wood, beating him unconscious. The inmate then bound Officer Wagstaff’s feet, took his watch, wallet, and coat, and covered him in a pile of grain, which ultimately caused him to suffocate. A second inmate fled the scene with the assailant.

Both were arrested less than two hours later while attempting to escape in a taxicab on Redwood Road. The primary assailant was later convicted of second-degree murder and paroled in 1983.

Officer Wagstaff’s death shook the Department, reminding all who serve behind the walls of the unpredictable dangers inherent in correctional work—even during what appears to be a normal, quiet shift.

A Family Man Remembered

Beyond the uniform, Don Wagstaff was a devoted family man. He was 56 years old and left behind:

• His wife, Ruth

• Two children, Mack Wagstaff and Barbara Wagstaff Price

• Seven grandchildren, who cherished him deeply

He was laid to rest in the American Fork Cemetery, close to the community he served, loved, and worked to protect.

Fifty years later, his descendants continue to carry his memory forward—and the corrections community continues to honor the life he gave in service to others.

A Legacy That Still Teaches Us Today

Officer Wagstaff’s death remains one of the earliest documented line-of-duty losses within Utah’s correctional system. His story serves as a solemn reminder:

• That no assignment—inside or outside facility walls—is without risk

• That officers often work alone in remote or open environments

• That safety protocols and training continue to evolve because of sacrifices like his

Fifty years later, his loss still resonates. It shaped conversations about officer safety, work-crew supervision, and the protections needed for those who maintain order in all corners of the correctional system.

Honoring His Memory

Today, we honor Correctional Officer Don Wagstaff for his courage, his service, and his willingness to stand watch in an era when correctional officers worked with fewer tools, fewer safeguards, and fewer protections than those available today.

We remember him not only for how he died, but for how he lived—
with integrity, with humility, and with a steadfast commitment to duty.

To the Wagstaff family, and to every officer who continues to serve in the shadow of sacrifices like his, we offer our deepest respect and gratitude.

Rest in peace, Officer Wagstaff.
Your service will never be forgotten.