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Incident
Police Officer Ralph Ogan was shot and killed while checking on a business at 801 Main Street at 5:45 am. While on patrol he observed a vehicle parked across the street from a business with a broken window. He approached the vehicle and spoke with the occupants. After a brief conversation, the rear passenger side suspect began to exit the vehicle. As Officer Ogan walked around the rear of the vehicle to confront this suspect he was shot twice in the upper torso. The suspect and his accomplices were apprehended and sentenced to prison. The shooter was convicted and sentenced to life imprisonment and died in prison ten years to the day of the murder. Officer Ogan was a U.S. Army veteran of the Korean War and had served with the Grinnell Police Department for four years.
Survivors
He is survived by his wife and three children.
In Our Keeping
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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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Also honored at salute.nw — U.S. Army. One record, 2 gates. Ralph is one person.
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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.
Police Officer Ogan gave the Grinnell Police Department 4 years.
Thank you for your service to the Grinnell 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
Ralph W. Ogan served in the U.S. Army before joining law enforcement.
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Grinnell Police Department has lost 2 officers; 1 of them killed feloniously.
Ralph is one of 129 officers killed feloniously in IA, 57.1% of the 226 remembered there.
Ralph is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,552 remembered there.
Ralph is one of 17,623 officers killed feloniously worldwide, 51.7% of the 34,103 remembered here.
34,103 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1963, 1 officer in IA was killed feloniously, the 32nd heaviest of 76 years on record. The heaviest was 1911, with 5.
In 1963, 71 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 100th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1963, 71 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 106th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Ralph was 34. Of the 115 killed feloniously in IA whose age is recorded, half were between 32 and 51; the middle age was 41. Ralph had served 4 years; the middle length of service was 7 years.
Ralph was 34. Of the 14,219 killed feloniously in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 47; the middle age was 38. Ralph had served 4 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Ralph was 34. Of the 15,853 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Ralph had served 4 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
November holds 7.8% of these deaths in IA; July holds the most, 16.3%. Wednesdays: 20.9%.
November holds 8.1% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Wednesdays: 12.9%.
November holds 8.2% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Wednesdays: 13.2%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 50% of all 2 deaths at Grinnell Police Department, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 100% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 57.1% of all 226 deaths in IA, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 18.6% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 57.1% of all 27,552 deaths in the United States, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 22.8% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,103 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 20.4% of these deaths.
His people
Grinnell Police Department has 2 officers remembered here, Ralph among them.
Where
Military Service
Ralph W. Ogan served in the U.S. Army before joining law enforcement.
Visit Ralph W. Ogan’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 7-E
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Also Remembered
Others Who Wore This Badge
1 officer from Grinnell Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
