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Roy Leonard Pederson
Incident
Chief of Police Roy Pederson was killed in an aircraft accident while he and two members of the city council were en route to Owatonna to inspect law enforcement facilities at 7:50 a.m. The two council members and the pilot were also killed. The snowstorm contributed to the plane crash 2 miles northwest of Winger. Chief Pederson was a United States Army veteran and had served with the Thief River Falls Police Department for ten years. He was serving as the chief for four months.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and daughter.
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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Also honored at salute.nw — U.S. Army. One record, 2 gates. Roy 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.
Chief of Police Pederson gave the Thief River Falls Police Department 10 years.
Thank you for your service to the Thief River Falls 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
Roy Leonard Pederson served in the U.S. Army (1961â1963) before joining law enforcement.
The Sacrifice · Accident
Thief River Falls Police Department has lost 2 officers; 1 of them lost to accidents.
Roy is one of 84 officers lost to accidents in MN, 28.7% of the 293 remembered there.
Roy is one of 8,276 officers lost to accidents in the United States, 30% of the 27,552 remembered there.
Roy 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 1974, 2 officers in MN were lost to accidents, the 6th heaviest of 60 years on record. The heaviest was 1923, with 3.
In 1974, 98 officers in the United States were lost to accidents, the 9th heaviest of 174 years on record. The heaviest was 1929, with 118.
In 1974, 106 officers worldwide were lost to accidents, the 13th heaviest of 200 years on record. The heaviest was 1930, with 131.
Who
Roy was 35. 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. Roy had served 10 years; the middle length of service was 8 years.
Roy was 35. 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. Roy had served 10 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Roy was 35. Of the 9,452 lost to accidents worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 45; the middle age was 36. Roy had served 10 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
January holds 4.8% of these deaths in MN; May holds the most, 14.3%. Mondays: 13.1%.
January holds 7.7% of these deaths in the United States; August holds the most, 9.4%. Mondays: 13.4%.
January holds 8.1% of these deaths worldwide; August holds the most, 9.3%. Mondays: 13.5%.
How
Accident deaths account for 50% of all 2 deaths at Thief River Falls Police Department, 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
Thief River Falls Police Department has 2 officers remembered here, Roy among them.
Where
Military Service
Roy Leonard Pederson served in the U.S. Army (1961–1963) before joining law enforcement.
Visit Roy Leonard Pederson’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 55-W
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Also Remembered
Others Who Wore This Badge
1 officer from Thief River Falls Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
