Roll of Honor
Incident
Constable Rasmus Rasmussen was shot and killed while controlling the perimeter of a home in which a man was barricaded at the intersection of North Main Street and Cherry Street. The suspect had been involved in an argument with the owner of a service station next to his house earlier in the day. The man then went to a store and purchased a rifle and ammunition. When he returned to the scene he shot at the owner of the service station but missed. A bystander saw him with the gun and attempted to take it from him. The suspect then shot and killed the bystander before barricading himself in the house. Responding officers and citizens surrounded the house and attempted to talk the suspect out. During the standoff, Constable Rasmussen shot some windows out. The suspect inside returned fire, killing him. The other officers, citizens, and a military machine gun company returned fire, killing the suspect. Constable Rasmussen also served as a deputy with the Sonoma County Sheriff's Office.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and five children and is buried in the Berkeley Cemetery.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-CA-69010A21- 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 never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Constable Rasmussen served with the Petaluma Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the Petaluma community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Constable Rasmussen.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Constable Rasmus L. Rasmussen 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 CA, 974 of 1,837 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 53% of this state's fallen. That is 1.2 percentage points below the national rate of 54.2%.
At Petaluma Police Department, 2 of 2 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 100% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Rasmus L. Rasmussen's cause is highlighted.
How Rasmus L. Rasmussen Compares
Offender Outcome
Shot and killed
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Rasmus L. Rasmussen is highlighted in Apr.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Rasmus L. Rasmussen was killed by rifle; .30-.30.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
1 officer from Petaluma Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
