Roll of Honor
Incident
Special Policeman Judson Randall succumbed to injuries sustained two days earlier while attempting to serve a writ commanding officers to move a smallpox patient to a quarantine hospital.
He and two other officers had gone to the home at 922 South Newton Avenue to take the man to the hospital. Upon their arrival, the man refused to go and threatened violence if they entered the home. One of the other officers cut open the screen door, and they all entered the home.
As the man's wife attempted to strike them with a broom handle the man grabbed an iron poker and struck Policeman Randall on the head, causing him to suffer a skull fracture. The man then surrendered to the other two officers.
Policeman Randall was able to walk home, but he became unconscious and died two days later.
The man who struck him was charged with murder but was acquitted at trial after the judge declared that the writ was invalid.
Policeman Randall was a Union Army veteran of the Civil War. He had only served with the Albert Lea Police Department for a few weeks and was appointed to assist with quarantine efforts during a smallpox outbreak.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and adult daughter.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-MN-D8D7205F- 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.
Special Policeman Randall served with the Albert Lea Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the Albert Lea community. Thank you 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
Judson H. Randall served in the United States military before joining law enforcement. Full service record available on salute.nw.
Special Policeman Judson H. Randall 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. Judson H. Randall's cause is highlighted.
How Judson H. Randall Compares
Offender Outcome
Acquitted
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Judson H. Randall is highlighted in Nov.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Judson H. Randall was killed by blunt object.