Karl A. Jacobson
Agency patch
Park Ranger

Karl A. Jacobson

Felonious
End of Watch November 11, 1938
Age 22
The Vigil Panel 75 ›
Gender Male

Incident

Park Ranger Karl Jacobson was shot and killed while searching for poachers in the Schoodic Peninsula section of Acadia National Park, Maine. After exiting his patrol car he was struck in the abdomen by rifle fire. A suspect was apprehended and claimed he mistook Ranger Jacobson for game. The suspect was found guilty and sentenced to one day in jail due to his old age and mental state. Ranger Jacobson's wife was accompanying him at the time of the incident.

In Our Keeping

Permanent identifier
BO-US-FED-4DF3A180
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.
Park Ranger Jacobson served with the United States Department of the Interior.
Thank you for your service. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Park Ranger Jacobson.

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

Agency

Location Washington, DC
Platform Identity usdinpsfed.fed.us.gov.nw

Service Record

End of Watch November 11, 1938
Age 22
Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Felonious
Weapon Rifle
Offender Sentenced to one day

Park Ranger Karl A. Jacobson 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 DC, 754 of 1,419 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 53.1% of this state's fallen. That is 1.1 percentage points below the national rate of 54.2%.

At United States Department of the Interior - National Park Service, 8 of 40 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 20% of this agency's fallen.

United States Department of the Interior - National Park Service
8
of 40 officers
20% Felonious
DC — Statewide
754
of 1,419 officers
53.1% Felonious
Nationwide
17,623
of 32,508 officers
54.2% Felonious

National Cause Distribution

How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Karl A. Jacobson's cause is highlighted.

Felonious
17,623 (54.2%)
Accident
10,088 (31%)
Illness
2,974 (9.1%)
Cardiac
1,306 (4%)
Undetermined
260 (0.8%)
Suicide
256 (0.8%)
vehicular
1 (0%)

How Karl A. Jacobson Compares

Age at End of Watch
22
This officer
Avg for Felonious: 39.0 years

Offender Outcome

Sentenced to one day

When Felonious Deaths Occur

Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Karl A. Jacobson is highlighted in Nov.

Jan
1,392
Feb
1,295
Mar
1,373
Apr
1,517
May
1,505
Jun
1,443
Jul
1,587
Aug
1,516
Sep
1,553
Oct
1,371
Nov
1,447
Dec
1,624

Weapons Used Against Officers

Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Karl A. Jacobson was killed by rifle.

Gun; Unknown type
5,083
Handgun
2,077
Shotgun
922
Officer's handgun
909
Automobile; Alcohol involved
530
Rifle
518

Incident Location