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Gilmer Fred Keeler
Incident
Officer Keeler was killed in an automobile crash on Highway 6, 14 miles south of Big Falls, in Koochiching County, while en route to Big Fork. His vehicle left the roadway and struck a bridge abutment. Officer Keeler had served with the agency for 8 years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife, 8-year-old daughter, parents, three brothers, and two sisters.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
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- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
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Tributes
I served 1985 to 1993. You served too, before the badge - different uniform, same idea. You go where you are sent and you do not get to pick the call.
Conservation Officer Keeler gave the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources 8 years.
Thank you for your service to the Saint Paul community, and for your service before it. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, brother.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Military Service
Gilmer Fred Keeler served in the the United States military before joining law enforcement.
The Sacrifice · Accident
Minnesota Department of Natural Resources - Enforcement Division has lost 18 officers; 11 of them lost to accidents.
Gilmer is one of 84 officers lost to accidents in MN, 28.7% of the 293 remembered there.
Gilmer is one of 8,276 officers lost to accidents in the United States, 30% of the 27,552 remembered there.
Gilmer is one of 10,096 officers lost to accidents worldwide, 29.6% of the 34,103 remembered here.
34,103 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1968, 1 officer at Minnesota Department of Natural Resources - Enforcement Division was lost to accidents, more than in any other year.
In 1968, 2 officers in MN were lost to accidents, the 6th heaviest of 60 years on record. The heaviest was 1923, with 3.
In 1968, 100 officers in the United States were lost to accidents, the 6th heaviest of 174 years on record. The heaviest was 1929, with 118.
In 1968, 117 officers worldwide were lost to accidents, the 5th heaviest of 200 years on record. The heaviest was 1930, with 131.
Who
Gilmer was 39. Of the 11 lost to accidents at Minnesota Department of Natural Resources - Enforcement Division whose age is recorded, half were between 40 and 49.5; the middle age was 43. Gilmer had served 8 years; the middle length of service was 9.7 years.
Gilmer was 39. Of the 84 lost to accidents in MN whose age is recorded, half were between 32.8 and 53; the middle age was 41.5. Gilmer had served 8 years; the middle length of service was 8 years.
Gilmer was 39. Of the 7,718 lost to accidents in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 46; the middle age was 36. Gilmer had served 8 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Gilmer was 39. Of the 9,452 lost to accidents worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 45; the middle age was 36. Gilmer had served 8 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
April holds 27.3% of these deaths at Minnesota Department of Natural Resources - Enforcement Division, more than any other month. Sundays: 18.2%.
April holds 8.3% of these deaths in MN; May holds the most, 14.3%. Sundays: 15.5%.
April holds 7% of these deaths in the United States; August holds the most, 9.4%. Sundays: 14%.
April holds 7% of these deaths worldwide; August holds the most, 9.3%. Sundays: 14%.
How
Accident deaths account for 61.1% of all 18 deaths at Minnesota Department of Natural Resources - Enforcement Division, the most common cause.
Accident deaths account for 28.7% of all 293 deaths in MN, the 2nd most common cause.
Accident deaths account for 30% of all 27,552 deaths in the United States, the 2nd most common cause.
Accident deaths account for 29.6% of all 34,103 deaths worldwide, the 2nd most common cause.
His people
Minnesota Department of Natural Resources - Enforcement Division has 18 officers remembered here, Gilmer among them.
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Charles Wetsel Oct 1, 1897
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August Olson Mar 19, 1922
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Joseph E. Kreager
May 26, 1922
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Frank J. Appel
May 8, 1925
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Joseph Twaddle
Apr 25, 1930
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Norman D. Fairbanks
May 3, 1930
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John Linklater
Jul 8, 1933
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Olaf Pearson Lofquist
Jan 4, 1936
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Dudley Philip Brady
Jul 12, 1940
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Melvin A. Holt
Jul 12, 1940
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Marcus E. Whipps
Jul 12, 1940
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Charles V. Masoner
Mar 22, 1941
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Ronald E. Shager
Feb 22, 1967
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Gilmer Fred Keeler
Apr 21, 1968
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Russell John Nelson
Sep 28, 1975
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Grant Scott Coyour
Jun 11, 1999
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Eugene Herman Wynn, Jr.
Apr 19, 2019
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Sarah Ann Grell
May 24, 2021
Where
Military Service
Gilmer Fred Keeler served in the United States military before joining law enforcement.
Visit Gilmer Fred Keeler’s page on salute.nw →
His full service record — units, decorations, where he served — is kept on salute.nw.
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 51-E
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Also Remembered
Others Who Wore This Badge
17 officers from Minnesota Department of Natural Resources - Enforcement Division are honored on badge.nw. Showing the 16 most recent.
