Roll of Honor
Wilbert McMicken
Incident
Patrolman Wilbert McMicken and Sheriff Hughes Van Etten of the Koochiching County Sheriff's Department succumbed to gunshot wounds received on September 18, 1922. Several officers had gone to a home to arrest a man for forging stolen checks. When the occupants of the house refused to open the door, the officers attempted to force entry. One of the men inside opened fire, striking Patrolman McMicken and Sheriff Van Etten each in a leg. The suspect was able to escape but was later shot and killed by a posse. The wounded officers were taken to a local hospital, where Patrolman McMicken died the following day. Sheriff Van Etten succumbed to his wound 11 days later. Officer McMicken had been with the International Falls Police Department for two months.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and five children.
In Our Keeping
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BO-US-MN-13846AF8- Stewardship
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- Added to badge.nw
- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 sentinel - 1 tribute.
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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Patrolman McMicken served with the International Falls Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the International Falls community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Patrolman McMicken.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Patrolman Wilbert McMicken is one of 17,559 officers killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty across the full record of this memorial — 53.9% of all 32,586 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 5.1 percentage points above the national rate of 53.9%.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Wilbert McMicken's cause is highlighted.
How Wilbert McMicken Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Wilbert McMicken is highlighted in Sep.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Wilbert McMicken was killed by gun.