Roll of Honor
Incident
Chief of Police Frank Town was shot and killed after responding to a domestic disturbance in which a man came home drunk and began to assault his wife and daughter. When his wife fled, the man ran to his barn with a .22 caliber rifle. Chief Town parked next to the back door of the home and began to approach the house. The suspect ambushed him from the barn and shot him once in the heart, killing him. The suspect was later apprehended by one of his neighbors and several deputies. Chief Town had served with the Park Rapids Police Department for at least 11 years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife, two sons, and stepdaughter.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-MN-855BE9E3- 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.
Chief of Police Town gave the Park Rapids Police Department 11 years.
Thank you for your service to the Park Rapids community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Chief of Police Town.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Chief of Police Frank Otis Town 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 Otis Town's cause is highlighted.
How Frank Otis Town Compares
Offender Outcome
Apprehended
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Frank Otis Town is highlighted in Jul.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Frank Otis Town was killed by rifle; .22 caliber.