Roll of Honor
Bruce A. Palmer
Incident
Location: Minnesota Weapon: Shotgun Offender: Apprehended
Railroad Detective Bruce Palmer was shot and killed near the railroad depot during a robbery, while escorting two railroad employees with a portion of the payroll to the First National Bank in Proctor, Minnesota. Two suspects with shotguns approached the group and immediately shot Detective Palmer several times in the side. They then told the other two employees to drop the money bags. The employees complied and fled the scene. The two suspects then escaped in a stolen vehicle. More than 20 people witnessed the shooting.
In March of 1931 two suspects, 23 and 32, were apprehended in Memphis, Tennessee. From witness statements and other evidence Michigan officials were sure these were the killers but future developments are unknown.
Detective Palmer had served with the Duluth, Missabe, and Northern Railroad Police Department for 8 years. He had previously served with the Duluth Police Department, Oliver Police Department in Wisconsin, and as chief of the Proctor Police Department.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-RR-67318C17- 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 never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Railroad Detective Palmer gave the Duluth, Missabe, and Northern Railroad Police Department 8 years.
Thank you for your service to the Duluth community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Railroad Detective Palmer.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Railroad Detective Bruce A. Palmer 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. Bruce A. Palmer's cause is highlighted.
How Bruce A. Palmer Compares
Offender Outcome
Apprehended
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Bruce A. Palmer is highlighted in May.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Bruce A. Palmer was killed by shotgun.