Roll of Honor
Incident
Marshal Frank Dahlin was shot and killed when he interrupted a burglary at a potato warehouse. He was shot twice during an exchange of gunfire with the suspects. He succumbed to his wounds two days later. One of the suspects was also shot and wounded. Two men were arrested four months later and charged with Marshal Dahlin's murder. Both were wanted for several robberies in neighboring counties and the murder of a cashier during a bank robbery in Weelock, North Dakota, that occurred on November 12th, 1926. On May 14th, 1927, both were convicted of Marshal Dahlin's murder and sentenced to life in prison. One was paroled on January 24th, 1949, after being diagnosed with severe heart problems. The other suspect was transferred to St. Peter Insane Asylum where on June 8, 1936, he escaped with 15 other inmates. The 15 other inmates were either killed or recaptured including the leader of the escapees who was a member of the "Barker Karpis Gang", who was shot and killed. On February 2, 1937, Marshal Dahlin"s killer was one of eight men killed in a train accident in San Bernardino, California. Marshal Dahlin had served with the Isanti Police Department for one year.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and stepson.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-MN-2F85FFD9- 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
You barely got started.
Marshal Dahlin gave the Isanti Police Department 1 year.
Thank you for your service to the Isanti community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Marshal Dahlin.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Marshal Frank Dahlin 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%.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Frank Dahlin's cause is highlighted.
How Frank Dahlin Compares
Offender Outcome
Sentenced to life
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Frank Dahlin is highlighted in Dec.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Frank Dahlin was killed by gun; unknown type.