Roll of Honor
Incident
Patrolman Frank Peterson was shot and killed when he surprised two men burglarizing a business on Main Street in Rugby around 5:00 a.m. When Patrolman Peterson witnessed a burglary in progress, he moved his patrol car into an alley off of Third Street to block the suspects' escape. As he looked over their car and moved through the alley to find the suspects, the suspects opened fire on Patrolman Peterson. Despite being wounded, he attempted to crawl to his patrol vehicle to radio for back-up. The suspects walked closer to Patrolman Peterson, and used a total of seven guns to shoot him 16 times. Several of the shots came from the officer's service revolver. The two men moved the police car and fled. They were arrested in Minot several days later and charged with first degree murder. Both suspects, ages 21 and 22, were convicted of first degree murder and sentenced to life in prison on March 19, 1963. One was paroled in 1979 and the other shortly thereafter. Patrolman Peterson was a part-time officer for the Rugby Police Department and had previously served as a deputy for the Pierce County Sheriff's Department.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife, son, and daughter.
In Our Keeping
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BO-US-ND-AD48FFBB- Stewardship
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- 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.
Patrolman Peterson gave the Rugby Police Department 2 years.
Thank you for your service to the Rugby community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Patrolman Peterson.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Patrolman Frank Peterson 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 ND, 39 of 61 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 63.9% of this state's fallen. That is 9.7 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 Peterson's cause is highlighted.
How Frank Peterson Compares
Offender Outcome
Sentenced to life
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Frank Peterson is highlighted in Feb.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Frank Peterson was killed by handgun.