Roll of Honor
Incident
Patrolman Canfield and his partner had stopped three suspects who were driving a stolen vehicle and were also wanted for robbery and kidnapping. Patrolman Canfield was shot and run over by the suspects’ vehicle and dragged nearly 30 feet. He died 42 years later from his injuries. The County Medical Examiner listed the cause of death as “Homicide . . . Multiple complications of gunshot wound and blunt force injuries (42 year interval).” His partner, Officer Robert Fossum, was shot in the head and died at the scene.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-MN-CB42767C- 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 never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Patrolman Canfield gave the Minneapolis Police Department 12 years.
Thank you for your service to the Minneapolis community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Patrolman Canfield.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Patrolman Ward Lee Canfield is one of 1 officers killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty across the full record of this memorial — 0% of all 97,756 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 59 percentage points above the national rate of 0%.
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.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Ward Lee Canfield's cause is highlighted.
How Ward Lee Canfield Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Ward Lee Canfield is highlighted in Mar.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
49 officers from Minneapolis Police Department are honored on badge.nw. Showing the 16 most recent.
