Leo R. Gorski

Minneapolis Police Department — Minneapolis, MN

Felonious Veteran →

End of Watch December 18, 1932

Age 38

Tour of Duty 11 yrs

The Vigil Panel 65 ›

Gender Male

Incident Service The Sacrifice Military Department 49

Incident

Patrolman Leo Gorski and Patrolman Ira Evans were shot and killed when they responded to a bank robbery in progress at Central and East Hennepin Avenues. As they exited their patrol car, two of the suspects opened fire on them with a shotgun and a machine gun. Both officers were fatally wounded. The suspects who were members of the Barker-Karpis Gang escaped but were eventually apprehended. One of the shooters was also responsible for the murder of Marshal John Rose of the Kirksville, Missouri, Police Department on November 17, 1930. The suspect was sentenced to life in prison. In 1934, the suspect was believed to have gone insane and was transferred to a state hospital. Two years later, he led an escape of 15 inmates and continued to rob banks. On July 8, 1936, he shot and killed Police Officer Cal Palmer, of the Enid, Oklahoma, Police Department, after getting drunk in a local bar. Patrolman Gorski was a United States World War I veteran and had served with the Minneapolis Police Department for 11 years. Survivors include his wife and son. He is buried in Sunset Memorial Park Cemetery, Minneapolis, Minnesota. The Barker-Karpis Gang committed violent crimes throughout the American Midwest in the late 1920s and mid-1930s. Members and associates of the gang were responsible for the murders of more than ten law enforcement officers. Please click here to view all the law enforcement officers killed by the Barker-Karpis Gang.

Survivors

Survivors include his wife and son.

In Our Keeping

Permanent identifier: BO-US-MN-2B44C537
Stewardship: Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
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 served 1985 to 1993. You served too, before the badge - different uniform, same idea. You go where you are sent and you do not get to pick the call.
Patrolman Gorski gave the Minneapolis Police Department 11 years.
Thank you for your service to the Minneapolis community, and for your service before it. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, brother.

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

Agency

Department Minneapolis Police Department

Type Police Department

Location Minneapolis, Hennepin County, MN

Platform Identity mpd.hennepin.mn.us.gov.nw

Service Record

End of Watch December 18, 1932

Tour of Duty 11 yrs

Age 38

Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Felonious

Weapon Rifle

Military Service

Leo R. Gorski served in the the United States military before joining law enforcement.

View full service record on salute.nw →

Patrolman Leo R. Gorski 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 32,588 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%.

At Minneapolis Police Department, 32 of 50 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 64% of this agency's fallen.

Minneapolis Police Department

of 50 officers

64% Felonious

MN — Statewide

173

of 293 officers

59% Felonious

Nationwide

17,559

of 32,588 officers

53.9% Felonious