Roll of Honor
Incident
Deputy Sheriff Robert Clarke succumbed to gunshot wounds he received at 33 East Maryland Street in Saint Paul on February 26, 1919.
While serving a warrant around 6:15 p.m., the suspect pulled out a gun and fired at deputies. One deputy was struck twice. While Deputy Clarke and another deputy attempted to gain control of the gun, Deputy Clarke was shot in the leg.
Deputy Clarke's gunshot wound seemed to be a surface wound, but he developed a blood clot and died at St. Joseph's Hospital in Saint Paul on March 31, 1919. The other officer recovered from his wounds.
The suspect was apprehended. He was deemed incompetent and spent the rest of his life in the Saint Peter State Hospital, dying in 1966.
Deputy Clarke had served with the Ramsey County Sheriff's Department for four years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife, five daughters, and three sons.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-MN-492BED7F- Stewardship
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- Added to badge.nw
- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Deputy Sheriff Clarke gave the Ramsey County Sheriff's Department 4 years.
Thank you for your service to the St. Paul community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Deputy Sheriff Clarke.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Deputy Sheriff Robert J. Clarke 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 Ramsey County Sheriff's Department, 2 of 6 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 33.3% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Robert J. Clarke's cause is highlighted.
How Robert J. Clarke Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Robert J. Clarke is highlighted in Mar.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Robert J. Clarke was killed by not available.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
5 officers from Ramsey County Sheriff's Department are honored on badge.nw.
