Salt Lake City Police Department, Utah
End of Watch Wednesday, January 13, 1982
Add to My HeroesRonald L. Heaps
Sergeant Ronald Heaps was shot and killed while investigating a loud music complaint. Unbeknownst to Sergeant Heaps, one of the subjects was wanted for the October 1, 1981, murder of Officer Johnny Martinez, of the California Highway Patrol.
As Sergeant Heaps made contact with the subject the man produced a handgun from his waistband and opened fire. One of the rounds struck Sergeant Heaps in his collar bone, just above his vest, and traveled into his chest. Despite being wounded, Sergeant Heaps was able to return fire and broadcast an officer down call.
Other responding officers engaged the suspects in a shootout, killing both men. One other officer was also wounded in the shootout.
Sergeant Heaps was transported to a local hospital where he succumbed to his wounds shortly after midnight.
Sergeant Heaps had served with the agency for 6-1/2 years. He was survived by his wife and four children.
Bio
- Age 32
- Tour 6 years, 6 months
- Badge Not available
Incident Details
- Cause Gunfire
- Incident Date Tuesday, January 12, 1982
- Weapon Handgun
- Offender Shot and killed
Related LODD Deaths
Officer Johnny Ramirez Martinez
California Highway Patrol, CA
EOW: October 2, 1981
Most Recent Reflection
View all 23 ReflectionsRon Heaps was an Electronics Technician at Sperry Utah where I was an engineer. I often worked with him on new electronics circuits. Ron often talked about how he came from a police family but because of a minor marijuana conviction as a minor, he was not able to become a police officer. I was happily surprised when I found later that he left Sperry and became a member of the police department.
Later, I called the police regarding a small fire set in some apartments I owned. Ron responded and we had a brief conversation.
He was a good guy.
r hemingway
no police relationship
July 18, 2019
Recent LODD Deaths
Police Officer Kenneth Reid Lester
Richmond Police Department, IN
EOW: February 10, 2020
Officer David Kellywood
White Mountain Apache Tribal Police Department, TR
EOW: February 17, 2020
Lieutenant Shirley Lanning
Canadian County Sheriff's Office, OK
EOW: February 14, 2020
Deputy Sheriff Donna Richardson-Below
DeSoto Parish Sheriff's Office, LA
EOW: February 12, 2020
Police Officer Matthew S. von Seydewitz
New York City Police Department, NY
EOW: January 27, 2020
Trooper Joseph Jon Bullock
Florida Highway Patrol, FL
EOW: February 5, 2020
Police Officer Nick O'Rear
Kimberly Police Department, AL
EOW: February 5, 2020
Deputy Sheriff Richard Edward Whitten
Liberty County Sheriff's Office, TX
EOW: February 3, 2020
Police Officer Alan Daniel McCollum
Corpus Christi Police Department, TX
EOW: January 31, 2020