Salt Lake City Police Department, Utah
End of Watch Saturday, September 10, 1927
Add to My HeroesRollin R. Tanner
Special Officer Rollin Tanner died after being mauled by two lions at the Liberty Park Zoo.
He was detailed to a parade honoring Charles Lindbergh, who had flown the famed Spirit of St. Louis to Salt Lake City. The parade ended at Liberty Park and was attended by thousands of spectators. The large crowd along with noise from the sirens and bands agitated the usually docile lions in nearby cages.
Officer Tanner, who regularly petted the lions while walking his beat, reached in to pet them and calm then down. One of the lions bit Officer Tanner's hand and pulled him against the bars. The second lion also attacked him. A citizen used a metal rod to push the lions away from Officer Tanner, who was pulled to safety.
He developed blood poisoning as a result of the wound and died on September 10th, 1927.
Officer Tanner had previously served as sheriff of the Beaver County Sheriff's Office and with the United States Marshals Service. He had also previously served one term as a state senator.
Officer Tanner was survived by his wife and three children.
Bio
- Age 66
- Tour Not available
- Badge Not available
Incident Details
- Cause Animal related
- Incident Date Saturday, September 3, 1927
Most Recent Reflection
View all 4 ReflectionsNo passage of time will ever erase your service and sacrifice.
Detective Cpl/3 Steven Rizzo
Delaware State Police (Retired)
September 10, 2020
Recent LODD Deaths

Detective William Osborn
Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department, CA
EOW: July 18, 2025

Detective Victor Lemus
Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department, CA
EOW: July 18, 2025

Detective Joshua Kelley-Eklund
Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department, CA
EOW: July 18, 2025

Parole Agent Joshua Lemont Byrd
California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation, CA
EOW: July 17, 2025

Sergeant Alton Dale Berrian
Santa Rosa County Sheriff's Office, FL
EOW: May 16, 2025

Deputy Sheriff Antonio Aleman
Doña Ana County Sheriff's Office, NM
EOW: July 8, 2025

Officer Miguel Cano
California Highway Patrol, CA
EOW: July 2, 2025

Deputy Sheriff Devin Mason
Darlington County Sheriff's Office, SC
EOW: July 1, 2025

Detention Officer Francisco Paul Flattes
Cherokee County Sheriff's Office, NC
EOW: June 30, 2025