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Incident
Patrol Officer Harry Chesmore was shot and killed while transporting two robbery suspects to the police headquarters. The two suspects, one juvenile and one adult, had just robbed the porter at the Hotel McKay. Officer Chesmore arrested the two as they attempted to flee across the Interstate Bridge into Superior, Wisconsin. He had them board the streetcar platform and was taking them to headquarters when the juvenile complained of being cold. He had told the juvenile to go inside the streetcar to stay warm. Moments later, he was distracted by a drunk man on the streetcar's platform while the streetcar was in the area of Garfield Avenue and Superior Street. One of the prisoners took the opportunity to draw a pistol and shot Officer Chesmore in the chest and head, fatally wounding him. The two then robbed the streetcar's passengers and fled. Officer Chesmore succumbed to his wounds the following day. Both were later apprehended, convicted of second-degree murder, and sentenced to life in prison. One of the subjects died in prison of tuberculosis, and the other died of the same disease shortly after being released to his parents.
In Our Keeping
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- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Patrol Officer Chesmore served with the Duluth Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the Duluth community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Patrol Officer Chesmore.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Duluth Police Department has lost 8 officers; 7 of them killed feloniously.
Harry is one of 173 officers killed feloniously in MN, 59% of the 293 remembered there.
Harry is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Harry is one of 17,631 officers killed feloniously worldwide, 52% of the 33,917 remembered here.
33,917 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1911, 1 officer at Duluth Police Department was killed feloniously, more than in any other year.
In 1911, 4 officers in MN were killed feloniously, the 4th heaviest of 93 years on record. The heaviest was 1922, with 11.
In 1911, 149 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 27th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1911, 150 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 33rd heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Harry was 25. Of the 5 killed feloniously at Duluth Police Department whose age is recorded, half were between 32 and 54; the middle age was 34.
Harry was 25. Of the 166 killed feloniously in MN whose age is recorded, half were between 33 and 49; the middle age was 41.
Harry was 25. Of the 14,220 killed feloniously in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 47; the middle age was 38.
Harry was 25. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38.
When
January holds 28.6% of these deaths at Duluth Police Department, more than any other month. Fridays: 14.3%.
January holds 5.8% of these deaths in MN; August holds the most, 16.8%. Fridays: 17.3%.
January holds 8% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Fridays: 14.3%.
January holds 7.9% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Fridays: 14.3%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 87.5% of all 8 deaths at Duluth Police Department, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 14.3% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 59% of all 293 deaths in MN, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 23.1% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 57.1% of all 27,551 deaths in the United States, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 22.8% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 52% of all 33,917 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 20.4% of these deaths.
His people
Duluth Police Department has 8 officers remembered here, Harry among them.
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 33-W
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
7 officers from Duluth Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
