On a crisp autumn day in 1978, the life of Ray Lynn Pierson, a 29-year-old White / Caucasian male, was tragically cut short. It was November 7th, and Pierson, a dedicated Utah Highway Patrol Trooper, was on duty near his hometown of Panguitch. Having recently transferred to the area, he was patrolling Highway 20 when he pulled over a pickup truck for a minor traffic violation.
Unbeknownst to Trooper Pierson, the driver of the vehicle was a fugitive from Illinois who had recently stolen gasoline and was armed.
As Trooper Pierson approached the driver's side of the truck, the man, identified as 18-year-old Brian Keith Stack, produced a. 357 magnum revolver and fired a single, fatal shot that struck Pierson in the heart. Despite his grave injury, Pierson managed to draw his own weapon and fire six rounds at the fleeing vehicle before succumbing to his wound at the scene. A passing motorist discovered the fallen officer and used his police radio to call for help.
A high-speed chase ensued as law enforcement officers pursued Stack. The pursuit ended near Beaver when Stack attempted to crash through a police roadblock. His vehicle was riddled with bullets from officers, yet he survived with only minor injuries. Stack was taken into custody and later admitted to the slaying. To avoid a potential death penalty, he pleaded guilty to first-degree murder and was sentenced to life in prison.
After serving 40 years, Brian Keith Stack was granted parole in 2019 and released in February 2020. However, his freedom was short-lived. In January 2021, he was arrested again on new charges. Trooper Pierson, a U.S. Navy veteran who had followed in his father's footsteps by joining the Utah Highway Patrol, was survived by his pregnant wife, two sons, and a daughter. Three months after his death, his wife gave birth to their fourth child, a daughter.
