"We wish he was here, but we have good memories," said his widow, Millie Anderson, of Riverton.

On Wednesday, the Utah Department of Corrections announced they will name the warden's building at the state prison the Stephen R. Anderson Memorial Building. A tribute to Anderson will be constructed inside, with a dedication ceremony scheduled six weeks from now, said DOC Director Tom Patterson.

Anderson, a 22-year veteran of the Department of Corrections, was shot twice by an inmate as he was transporting the inmate from the Utah State Prison in Draper to University Hospital for an MRI.

Curtis Allgier, 28, is charged with capital murder in the shooting death of the 60-year-old Anderson. District Attorney Lohra Miller has said she intends to seek the death penalty in the case.

On Wednesday, those who knew Anderson tried to focus on the kind, compassionate man they remember - the patient role model to Eagle Scouts; the doting grandfather who hauled his grandchildren around in a trailer behind his all-terrain vehicle; the joker who didn't mind being teased about his graying hair.

But memories of Anderson's violent death are never far from the minds of some who knew him.

"You just pray and hope that this doesn't happen again," said Utah State Prison Warden Steve Turley.

Three long siren blasts rang out at the prison at 7:45 a.m., the same time Anderson was killed last year. Corrections employees have worn shrouds over their badges to mark the anniversary of Anderson's murder, Turley said.

Anderson's family attended a tribute at University Hospital on Wednesday where a tree was planted in his memory, Millie Anderson said. They also visited Anderson's grave in Bluffdale.

"We've had so much support from friends and relatives," she said. "Everyone has been so kind. That part has been wonderful."

mrogers@sltrib.com