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Incident
Deputy Sheriff Luther Klug was killed when a drunk driver ran a stop sign and struck his patrol car on the driver's side at the intersection of Highway 316 and 200th Street, in Hastings. The impact of the crash pushed the patrol car into a nearby ditch. Deputy Klug was flown to Ramsey County Medical Center where he died shortly after 1:00 am. The 37-year-old suspect was convicted of vehicular homicide and sentenced to only four years in jail. He fled from his previous home in Oklahoma a year earlier to avoid a drunk driving charge. Deputy Klug had served with the Dakota County Sheriff's Office for six years and had served in law enforcement for a total of 15 years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and son.
In Our Keeping
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- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Deputy Sheriff Klug gave the Dakota County Sheriff's Office 15 years.
Thank you for your service to the Hastings community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Deputy Sheriff Klug.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Dakota County Sheriff's Office has lost 2 officers; 2 of them killed feloniously.
Luther is one of 173 officers killed feloniously in MN, 59% of the 293 remembered there.
Luther is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Luther is one of 17,631 officers killed feloniously worldwide, 51.7% of the 34,117 remembered here.
34,117 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1996, 2 officers in MN were killed feloniously, the 21st heaviest of 93 years on record. The heaviest was 1922, with 11.
In 1996, 79 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 86th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1996, 79 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 94th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Luther was 36. Of the 166 killed feloniously in MN whose age is recorded, half were between 33 and 49; the middle age was 41. Luther had served 15 years; the middle length of service was 8 years.
Luther was 36. Of the 14,220 killed feloniously in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 47; the middle age was 38. Luther had served 15 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Luther was 36. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Luther had served 15 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
July holds 13.9% of these deaths in MN; August holds the most, 16.8%. Tuesdays: 13.3%.
July holds 9.3% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Tuesdays: 13.4%.
July holds 9% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Tuesdays: 13.3%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 100% of all 2 deaths at Dakota County Sheriff's Office. The weapon recorded was automobile, in 50% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 59% of all 293 deaths in MN, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was automobile, in 5.2% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 57.1% of all 27,551 deaths in the United States, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was automobile, in 4.9% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,117 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was automobile, in 4.4% of these deaths.
His people
Dakota County Sheriff's Office has 2 officers remembered here, Luther among them.
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 49-W
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
1 officer from Dakota County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.
