Roll of Honor
Incident
Chief of Police Nels Romer was shot and killed when he responded to a domestic disturbance on Christmas day at 12:30 pm. He was shot by the male subject as he arrived at the home on 1st Avenue Northwest. The suspect then drove into town and shot at two citizens before being arrested by the county sheriff. The sheriff took the man to jail in Bismark to prevent an angry mob from lynching him. On March 1, 1927, the 22-year-old suspect was found guilty of second-degree murder and sentenced to 23 years in prison. He was denied parole on June 5, 1935. Chief Romer had served with the Mandan Police Department for five years and previously served with the Stutsman Sheriff’s Department. He was survived by his second wife and three children. He was preceded in death by his first wife and one-year-old child.
Survivors
He was survived by his second wife and three children.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-ND-FA6BA517- 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.
Are you family? This record can be claimed and maintained by those who knew Nels. Claim this record.
This page is permanent and free. No fee to view it, no advertising, no tracking, and no account required. It will not be taken down.
Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Chief of Police Romer gave the Mandan Police Department 10 years.
Thank you for your service to the Mandan community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Chief of Police Romer.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Chief of Police Nels H. Romer 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%.
At Mandan Police Department, 1 of 2 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 50% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Nels H. Romer's cause is highlighted.
How Nels H. Romer Compares
Offender Outcome
Sentenced to 23 years
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Nels H. Romer is highlighted in Dec.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Nels H. Romer was killed by handgun; .38 caliber.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
1 officer from Mandan Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
