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Incident
Patrolman Ross Peterson was shot and killed when he interrupted two burglars at Reno High School, then located at West 4th St & N. Arlington Ave. Patrolman Peterson was serving as night watchman at the school during the first few days of the school year. Two suspects broke into the building and he approached them. The suspects opened fire and, in the ensuing shootout, Patrolman Peterson and one of the suspects were shot and killed. The other suspect was wounded and was able to escape from the scene.
Survivors
Patrolman Peterson was survived by his wife and three sisters.
In Our Keeping
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- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Patrolman Peterson served with the Reno Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the Reno community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Patrolman Peterson.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Reno Police Department has lost 12 officers; 10 of them killed feloniously.
Ross is one of 82 officers killed feloniously in NV, 56.2% of the 146 remembered there.
Ross is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,552 remembered there.
Ross 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 1931, 1 officer at Reno Police Department was killed feloniously, the 3rd heaviest of 8 years on record. The heaviest was 1947, with 2.
In 1931, 1 officer in NV was killed feloniously, the 15th heaviest of 62 years on record. The heaviest was 1979, with 4.
In 1931, 221 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 5th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1931, 222 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 9th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
When
September holds 30% of these deaths at Reno Police Department; November holds the most, 30%. Fridays: 10%.
September holds 6.1% of these deaths in NV; October holds the most, 13.4%. Fridays: 9.8%.
September holds 9.1% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Fridays: 14.3%.
September holds 8.8% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Fridays: 14.3%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 83.3% of all 12 deaths at Reno Police Department, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 10% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 56.2% of all 146 deaths in NV, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 15.9% 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
Reno Police Department has 12 officers remembered here, Ross among them.
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Harry P. Brown
Sep 26, 1905
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Charles A. Browne
Nov 10, 1907
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Wilson Fugate Jul 2, 1929
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Ross Peterson Sep 11, 1931
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LeRoy Joseph Geach
Nov 8, 1947
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Allen A. Glass
Nov 8, 1947
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Michael J. Mills
Jan 18, 1969
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James Duane Hoff
Jun 25, 1979
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Glenn William Turner
Dec 29, 1979
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Keith Tadashi Hashimoto
Mar 29, 1996
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John C. Bohach
Aug 22, 2001
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Michael Robert Scofield
Sep 26, 2002
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 2-W
Others Who Wore This Badge
11 officers from Reno Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
