Roll of Honor
Incident
Lieutenant Oscar Olson was shot and killed while attempting to arrest a suspect who had barricaded himself inside his house at 2212 West First Street with a gun. Lieutenant Olson attempted to resolve the situation peacefully, but was eventually forced to kick down the door. As he did so the man shot him with a revolver. Lieutenant Olson was able to return fire and killed the man. Lieutenant Olson had served with the Duluth Police Department for 33 years and had previously served as its police chief from 1935 to 1939.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and child.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-MN-11F5B9B9- 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
33 years. You could have gone home.
Lieutenant Olson gave the Duluth Police Department 33 years. Still answering calls at the end.
Thank you for your service to the Duluth community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Lieutenant Olson.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Lieutenant Oscar G. Olson 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 Duluth Police Department, 7 of 8 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 87.5% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Oscar G. Olson's cause is highlighted.
How Oscar G. Olson Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Oscar G. Olson is highlighted in Dec.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Oscar G. Olson was killed by shotgun.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
7 officers from Duluth Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
