Oran M. Diemer
Agency patch
Special Agent

Oran M. Diemer

Felonious
End of Watch September 12, 1917
Age 27
The Vigil Panel 33 ›
Gender Male

Incident

Location: Missouri Weapon: Handgun Offender: Paroled in 1953

Special Agent Oran Diemer was shot and killed in Hannibal, Missouri, while he and another railroad detective arrested a man for trespassing on a freight train.

They encountered the man in one of the train's boxcars while it was in transit. He requested to be allowed to purchase a ticket when they arrived at the next city and the detectives stated they would allow him to per the company's policy. When the train slowed as it entered Hannibal the man suddenly produced a handgun and shot Special Agent Diemer in the forehead, killing him. He then shot the second detective three times before jumping from the train near the Main Street crossing. Despite his wounds, the wounded detective jumped from the train and returned fire at the subject as he fled.

Within a few hours the suspect, 35, was apprehended by the city marshal in Monroe City and positively identified by the wounded detective. On January 28, 1918, he was convicted of first degree murder and sentenced to life. He was paroled on January 23, 1953.

No passage of time will ever erase your service and sacrifice. Rest in peace always.

Detective Cpl/3 Steven Rizzo Delaware State Police (Retired) September 12th, 2020

In Our Keeping

Permanent identifier
BO-US-RR-E1525153
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.
Special Agent Diemer served with the Chicago, Burlington and Quincy Railroad Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the Chicago community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Special Agent Diemer.

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

Agency

Location Chicago, IL
Platform Identity cbqrpd.rr.us.gov.nw

Service Record

End of Watch September 12, 1917
Age 27
Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Felonious
Cause Detail Gunfire
Weapon Handgun
Offender Paroled in 1953

Special Agent Oran M. Diemer 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 IL, 842 of 1,318 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 63.9% of this state's fallen. That is 9.7 percentage points above the national rate of 54.2%.

At Chicago, Burlington and Quincy Railroad Police Department, 4 of 7 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 57.1% of this agency's fallen.

Chicago, Burlington and Quincy Railroad Police Department
4
of 7 officers
57.1% Felonious
IL — Statewide
842
of 1,318 officers
63.9% 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. Oran M. Diemer'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 Oran M. Diemer Compares

Age at End of Watch
27
This officer
Avg for Felonious: 39.0 years

Offender Outcome

Paroled in 1953

When Felonious Deaths Occur

Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Oran M. Diemer is highlighted in Sep.

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. Oran M. Diemer was killed by handgun.

Gun; Unknown type
5,083
Handgun
2,077
Shotgun
922
Officer's handgun
909
Automobile; Alcohol involved
530
Rifle
518

Incident Location