Roll of Honor
Incident
Deputy Sheriff Ernest Zettergren was shot and killed when he interrupted a burglary at a local tavern at 6003 University Avenue NE in Fridley. He had noticed that a window was broken out at the business and pulled up behind a car in front of it. He was able to radio the license plate when the suspect came out and approached the vehicle at 3:59 a.m. The man immediately shot Deputy Zettergren twice and then fled with the officer's weapon and clipboard. The man, 35, an ex-convict with a lengthy criminal record, was arrested later in the morning and confessed to the murder. He was convicted of second degree murder a week later and sentenced to life in Stillwater Prison. He hanged himself in his cell on January 31, 1954. Deputy Zettergren had served with the Anoka County Sheriff's Office for five years and previously served with the Columbia Heights Police Department.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and six children.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-MN-A8807ADC- 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.
Deputy Sheriff Zettergren gave the Anoka County Sheriff's Office 8 years.
Thank you for your service to the Anoka community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Deputy Sheriff Zettergren.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Deputy Sheriff Ernest Zettergren 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 Anoka County Sheriff's Office, 2 of 2 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 100% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Ernest Zettergren's cause is highlighted.
How Ernest Zettergren Compares
Offender Outcome
Committed suicide in prison
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Ernest Zettergren is highlighted in Dec.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Ernest Zettergren was killed by handgun; pistol.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
1 officer from Anoka County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.
