William Applestiel

Northern Pacific Railroad Police Department — St. Paul, MN

Felonious

End of Watch December 19, 1917

Age 45

The Vigil Panel 33 ›

Gender Male

Incident Service The Sacrifice Department 5

Incident

Railroad Policeman William Applestiel was shot one of five men he surprised looting a freight car at the Northern Pacific transfer shed three miles south of Auburn. The men were loading liquor into a car when Patrolman Applestiel attempted to arrest them. Railroad Policeman Applestiel attempted to return fire but his bullets failed to explode. The car was traced to a Auburn garage where two were arrested. The three others were apprehended later the same night. The gunman was the foremen of the switching crew. Two of the suspects were railroad employees supervised by the gunman. All five were charged with murder.

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Permanent identifier: BO-US-RR-AD01DCDF
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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 never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Railroad Policeman Applestiel served with the Northern Pacific Railroad Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the St. Paul community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Railroad Policeman Applestiel.

— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993

Agency

Department Northern Pacific Railroad Police Department

Location St. Paul, MN

Platform Identity nprpd.rr.us.gov.nw

Service Record

End of Watch December 19, 1917

Age 45

Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Felonious

Weapon Gun; Unknown type

Offender Charged with murder

Railroad Policeman William Applestiel 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 Northern Pacific Railroad Police Department, 6 of 6 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 100% of this agency's fallen.

Northern Pacific Railroad Police Department

of 6 officers

100% Felonious

MN — Statewide

173

of 293 officers

59% Felonious

Nationwide

17,623

of 32,508 officers

54.2% Felonious