Roll of Honor
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
- April 2, 2026
- Last updated
- July 23, 2026
Honored here by 1 sentinel - 1 tribute.
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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 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 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 4.8 percentage points above the national rate of 54.2%.
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
Offender Outcome
Executed in 1889
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; revolver.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
2 officers from Moorhead Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
