Roll of Honor
Incident
Police Officer Ralph Ogan was shot and killed while checking on a business at 801 Main Street at 5:45 am. While on patrol he observed a vehicle parked across the street from a business with a broken window. He approached the vehicle and spoke with the occupants. After a brief conversation, the rear passenger side suspect began to exit the vehicle. As Officer Ogan walked around the rear of the vehicle to confront this suspect he was shot twice in the upper torso. The suspect and his accomplices were apprehended and sentenced to prison. The shooter was convicted and sentenced to life imprisonment and died in prison ten years to the day of the murder. Officer Ogan was a U.S. Army veteran of the Korean War and had served with the Grinnell Police Department for four years.
Survivors
He is survived by his wife and three children.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-IA-0899268A- 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 served 1985 to 1993. You served too, before the badge - different uniform, same idea. You go where you are sent and you do not get to pick the call.
Police Officer Ogan gave the Grinnell Police Department 4 years.
Thank you for your service to the Grinnell community, and for your service before it. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, brother.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Military Service
Ralph W. Ogan served in the United States military before joining law enforcement. Full service record available on salute.nw.
Police Officer Ralph W. Ogan 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 Grinnell Police Department, 1 of 2 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 50% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Ralph W. Ogan's cause is highlighted.
How Ralph W. Ogan Compares
Offender Outcome
Died in prison
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Ralph W. Ogan is highlighted in Nov.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Ralph W. Ogan was killed by gun; unknown type.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
1 officer from Grinnell Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
