Roll of Honor
Incident
Patrolman Peterson and Chief James Daily both succumbed to gunshot wounds received the previous day when they attempted to apprehend a suspicious person at the Sibley Hotel. The man was mentally deranged and opened fire on the officers, mortally wounding both of them. The suspect was committed in a state mental hospital and died there on May 11, 1931. Patrolman Peterson had served with the agency for 14 years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and five children.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-MN-A4D9EAF0- 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 Peterson gave the Red Wing Police Department 14 years.
Thank you for your service to the Red Wing community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Patrolman Peterson.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Patrolman John Peterson 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 Red Wing Police Department, 2 of 2 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 100% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. John Peterson's cause is highlighted.
How John Peterson Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. John Peterson is highlighted in Jan.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. John Peterson was killed by gun.
Others Who Wore This Badge
1 officer from Red Wing Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
