Oran H. Pape
Agency patch
Patrolman

Oran H. Pape

Iowa State Patrol — Des Moines, IA
Felonious
End of Watch April 30, 1936
Age 29
Tour of Duty 1 yrs
Badge 40
The Vigil Panel 71 ›
Gender Male

Incident

Patrolman Oran Pape was shot and killed while struggling with a suspect who had abducted him during a traffic stop on Highway 61 (modern-day Highway 22) near Fairport. Patrolman Pape had stopped the vehicle suspecting it was stolen. As he approached the car the driver pointed a gun at him and told him to get into the vehicle. As they drove away Patrolman Pape grabbed the driver and began to struggle with him. During the struggle two shots were fired, one struck Patrolman Pape in the abdomen and groin and the other struck the suspect in the head, killing him instantly. Patrolman Pape was able to seek help and was taken to a local hospital where he succumbed to his wounds the next day. Patrolman Pape had served with the Iowa State Patrol for one year.

In Our Keeping

Permanent identifier
BO-US-IA-932FFEAA
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

You barely got started.
Patrolman Pape gave the Iowa State Patrol 1 year.
Thank you for your service to the people of Iowa. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Patrolman Pape.

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

Agency

Department Iowa State Patrol
Location Des Moines, IA
Platform Identity ihp.ia.us.gov.nw

Service Record

End of Watch April 30, 1936
Tour of Duty 1 yrs
Age 29
Badge Number 40
Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Felonious
Weapon Handgun
Offender Shot and killed

Patrolman Oran H. Pape 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 IA, 129 of 226 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 57.1% of this state's fallen. That is 2.9 percentage points above the national rate of 54.2%.

At Iowa State Patrol, 3 of 12 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 25% of this agency's fallen.

Iowa State Patrol
3
of 12 officers
25% Felonious
IA — Statewide
129
of 226 officers
57.1% 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 H. Pape'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 H. Pape Compares

Age at End of Watch
29
This officer
Avg for Felonious: 39.0 years
Years of Service
1
This officer
Avg for Felonious: 8.5 years

Offender Outcome

Shot and killed

When Felonious Deaths Occur

Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Oran H. Pape is highlighted in Apr.

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 H. Pape 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