Roll of Honor
Thomas J. Fitzgerald
Incident
Location: Minnesota Weapon: Handgun Offender: Sentenced to life
Special Agent Thomas Fitzgerald was shot and killed in St. Paul, Minnesota, while conducting an investigation the Great Northern Railway yards on Jackson Street.
He was attempting to interview an employee in the sandhouse when the man suddenly produced a handgun and grabbed Special Agent Fitzgerald. Unbeknownst to Special Agent Fitzgerald, the subject was wanted in several other states for various crimes, including shooting at a county sheriff. The subject shot Special Agent Fitzgerald four times when he attempted to break free.
The man fled the state the following day. He was later arrested in Kansas and sentenced to 10 years in prison from burglary. While in prison he admitted to Special Agent Fitzgerald's murder. Upon his release in 1931 he was returned to Minnesota where he plead guilty to murder and was sentenced to life at hard labor.
Special Agent Fitzgerald had served with the Great Northern Railway Police for 26 years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and five children.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-RR-AEDC4448- 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
26 years. You could have gone home.
Special Agent Fitzgerald gave the Great Northern Railway Police Department 26 years. Still answering calls at the end.
Thank you for your service to the Saint Paul community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Special Agent Fitzgerald.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Special Agent Thomas J. Fitzgerald 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 Great Northern Railway Police Department, 2 of 4 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. Thomas J. Fitzgerald's cause is highlighted.
How Thomas J. Fitzgerald Compares
Offender Outcome
Sentenced to life
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Thomas J. Fitzgerald is highlighted in Oct.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Thomas J. Fitzgerald was killed by handgun.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
3 officers from Great Northern Railway Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
