Floyd L. Rose, 26, was an automobile salesman in Delta, Utah. On October 2, 1922, he was deputized by Millard County Sheriff Frank H. Black to assist in the capture of Cerelio M. Rico, an escapee from the county jail in Fillmore. Rico had been serving time for a burglary in Delta and for attempting to murder Lynndyl Town Marshal Bert Williams.

Shortly after noon, Sheriff Black, Rose, and Deputy George Waters went to the Rico home near the sugar factory north of town to inquire regarding his whereabouts. A search of the Rico residence revealed the suspect hiding in the cellar. A gunfight ensued during which Rose was shot in the knee, hip, and lungs with a 30-30 Winchester rifle. He died at the scene. Rico managed to flee the murder scene, but was cornered and shot to death by a pursuing posse less that two hours later.

Millard County refused any support claims by Rose's widow, stating that he was not an employee of the county and therefore not entitled to workman's compensation. Mrs. Rose filed suit on behalf of herself and her daughter. In 1923, the Utah State Supreme Court ruled that Deputy Rose died while in the employ of Millard County, ordering that the county pay his widow a monetary compensation for a period of six years.