Roll of Honor
Incident
Patrolmen Ira Evans and Leo Gorski were shot and killed when they responded to a bank robbery in progress at Central and East Hennepin Avenues. As they exited their patrol car, two of the suspects opened fire on them with a shotgun and machine gun. Both officers were fatally wounded. The suspects escaped but were eventually apprehended. One of the shooters was also responsible for the murder of Marshal John Rose of the Kirksville, Missouri, Police Department on November 17, 1930. The suspect was sentenced to life in prison. In 1934 the suspect was believed to have gone insane and was transferred to a state hospital. Two years later he led an escape of 15 inmates and continued to rob banks. On July 8, 1936, he shot and killed Officer Cal Palmer, of the Enid, Oklahoma, Police Department, after getting drunk in a local bar. Patrolman Evans had been employed with the Minneapolis Police Department for eight years, and was survived by his wife. He is buried in Sunset Memorial Park Cemetery, Minneapolis, Minnesota. The Barker-Karpis Gang committed violent crimes throughout the American Midwest in the late 1920s and mid-1930s. Members and associates of the gang were responsible for the murders of more than ten law enforcement officers. Please click here to view all the law enforcement officers killed by the Barker-Karpis Gang.
Survivors
Patrolman Evans had been employed with the Minneapolis Police Department for eight years, and was survived by his wife.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-MN-F50C3B4E- Stewardship
- 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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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Patrolman Evans gave the Minneapolis Police Department 8 years.
Thank you for your service to the Minneapolis community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Patrolman Evans.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Patrolman Ira Leon Evans is one of 1 officers killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty across the full record of this memorial — 0% of all 97,772 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 59 percentage points above the national rate of 0%.
At Minneapolis Police Department, 32 of 50 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 64% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Ira Leon Evans's cause is highlighted.
How Ira Leon Evans Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Ira Leon Evans is highlighted in Dec.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Ira Leon Evans was killed by rifle.
Others Who Wore This Badge
49 officers from Minneapolis Police Department are honored on badge.nw. Showing the 16 most recent.
