Roll of Honor

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Marshal

August Kokko

Nashwauk Police Department — Nashwauk, MN

Felonious

End of Watch February 12, 1914

Age 45

Tour of Duty 7 yrs

The Vigil Panel 28 ›

Gender Male

Incident Service The Sacrifice

Incident

Marshal August Kokko was shot and killed while taking a prisoner to jail.

The prisoner had been arrested for fighting at a boarding house on First Street. As the two walked towards the jail, one of the prisoner's friends shot Marshal Kokko four times. Despite being mortally wounded, Marshal Kokko was able to return fire and wounded the shooter. The marshal was taken to Hibbing Hospital where he died the following day.

The suspect was convicted of murder and sentenced to life. He was released on December 15, 1936, and deported to his native country, Yugoslavia.

Marshal Kokko had served with the Nashwauk Police Department for seven years.

Survivors

He was survived by his wife and three children.

In Our Keeping

Permanent identifier: BO-US-MN-8F74156A
Stewardship: Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
Added to badge.nw: April 2, 2026
Last updated: July 23, 2026

Honored here by 1 sentinel - 1 tribute.

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Tributes

I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Marshal Kokko gave the Nashwauk Police Department 7 years.
Thank you for your service to the Nashwauk community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Marshal Kokko.

— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993

Agency

Department Nashwauk Police Department

Location Nashwauk, MN

Platform Identity npd.itasca.mn.us.gov.nw

Service Record

End of Watch February 12, 1914

Tour of Duty 7 yrs

Age 45

Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Felonious

Cause Detail Gunfire

Weapon Gun; Unknown type

Offender Released in 1936

Marshal August Kokko is one of 17,623 officers killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty across the full record of this memorial — 54.2% of all 32,508 officers honored here.

In MN, 173 of 293 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 59% of this state's fallen. That is 4.8 percentage points above the national rate of 54.2%.

Nashwauk Police Department

of 1 officers

100% Felonious

MN — Statewide

173

of 293 officers

59% Felonious

Nationwide

17,623

of 32,508 officers

54.2% Felonious

National Cause Distribution

How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. August Kokko's cause is highlighted.

Felonious

17,623 (54.2%)

Accident

10,088 (31%)

Illness

2,974 (9.1%)

Cardiac

1,306 (4%)

Undetermined

260 (0.8%)

Suicide

256 (0.8%)

vehicular

1 (0%)

How August Kokko Compares

Age at End of Watch

This officer

Avg for Felonious: 39.0 years

Years of Service

This officer

Avg for Felonious: 8.5 years

Offender Outcome

Released in 1936

When Felonious Deaths Occur

Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. August Kokko is highlighted in Feb.

Jan

1,392

Feb

1,295

Mar

1,373

Apr

1,517

May

1,505

Jun

1,443

Jul

1,587

Aug

1,516

Sep

1,553

Oct

1,371

Nov

1,447

Dec

1,624

Weapons Used Against Officers

Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. August Kokko was killed by gun; unknown type.

Gun; Unknown type

5,083

Handgun

2,077

Shotgun

922

Officer's handgun

909

Automobile; Alcohol involved

530

Rifle

518