Incident
Police Officer Peter Poull was shot and killed while attempting to arrest a murder suspect wanted in North Dakota. The man was being watched by other officers. When the suspect saw the other officers he approached them and abducted them at gunpoint. Officer Poull was notified of the incident and went to the scene near the intersection of Front Street (modern-day Center Avenue) and 8th Street. When the suspect saw him he opened fire, striking Officer Poull. The suspect then exchanged shots with the other officers, was wounded, and taken into custody. The man was convicted twice of murdering Officer Poull and was executed on September 20th, 1889.
Survivors
Officer Poull was survived by his wife, 2-week-old daughter, and mother.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-MN-FE942B29- Stewardship
- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
Are you family? This record can be claimed and maintained by those who knew Peter. Claim this record.
This page is permanent and free. No fee to view it, no advertising, no tracking, and no account required. It will not be taken down.
Tributes
138 years is a long time for a name to go unread. Not today.
Police Officer Poull served with the Moorhead Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the Moorhead community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Police Officer Peter Poull Jr. 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 Moorhead Police Department, 2 of 3 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 66.7% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Peter Poull Jr.'s cause is highlighted.
How Peter Poull Jr. Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Peter Poull Jr. is highlighted in Oct.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Peter Poull Jr. was killed by handgun.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
2 officers from Moorhead Police Department are honored on badge.nw.

