Roll of Honor
Incident
Trooper Donald Ziesmer was shot and killed while making a traffic stop of a van on Highway 61 near Tofte. One of the occupants exited the van and opened fire with a .22 caliber rifle, striking Trooper Ziesmer while he was still sitting in his patrol car. The man then committed suicide. Trooper Ziesmer was a United States Navy veteran and had served with the Minnesota State Patrol for 13 years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and three daughters.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-MN-6A8C7A85- 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 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.
Trooper Ziesmer gave the Minnesota State Patrol 13 years.
Thank you for your service to the people of Minnesota, and for your service before it. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, brother.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Military Service
Donald Bert Ziesmer served in the Other (1945) before joining law enforcement.
Trooper Donald Bert Ziesmer 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%.
At Minnesota State Patrol, 3 of 8 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 37.5% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Donald Bert Ziesmer's cause is highlighted.
How Donald Bert Ziesmer Compares
Offender Outcome
Committed suicide
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Donald Bert Ziesmer is highlighted in Oct.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Donald Bert Ziesmer was killed by rifle; .22 caliber.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
7 officers from Minnesota State Patrol are honored on badge.nw.
