James Rauland

Northern Pacific Railroad Police Department — St. Paul, MN

Felonious

End of Watch November 1, 1899

The Vigil Panel 15 ›

Gender Male

Incident Service The Sacrifice Department 5

Incident

Detective James Rauland was shot and killed while he attempted to arrest suspected train robbers in the rail yard at Williston, North Dakota.

He had placed two men under arrest but as he took the third into custody the man produced a pistol and opened fire. Despite being mortally wounded, Detective Rauland was able to return fire and killed the suspect.

In Our Keeping

Permanent identifier: BO-US-RR-0BC361E2
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 James. 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

127 years is a long time for a name to go unread. Not today.
Detective Rauland served with the Northern Pacific Railroad Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the St. Paul community. Gone but never to be forgotten.

— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993

Agency

Department Northern Pacific Railroad Police Department

Location St. Paul, MN

Platform Identity nprpd.rr.us.gov.nw

Service Record

End of Watch November 1, 1899

Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Felonious

Weapon Handgun

Offender Shot and killed

Detective James Rauland 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 Northern Pacific Railroad Police Department, 6 of 6 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 100% of this agency's fallen.

Northern Pacific Railroad Police Department

of 6 officers

100% Felonious

MN — Statewide

173

of 293 officers

59% Felonious

Nationwide

17,623

of 32,508 officers

54.2% Felonious