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Norman D. Fairbanks
Incident
Game Warden Norman Fairbanks was shot and killed as he and another officer attempted to arrest two men for illegal trapping at a cabin at Wolf Lake, near Hibbing, Minnesota. The two men had failed to show up for a court appearance so the officers returned to the cabin to arrest them. As they entered the cabin one of the men opened fire, mortally wounding Warden Fairbanks. The other officer was not injured and was able to return fire as the suspects fled. Two months later one was shot and killed and the other was arrested. The one who was arrested was acquitted after pleading insanity. Warden Fairbanks succumbed to his wounds two weeks after the shooting. Warden Fairbanks was survived by his wife and six children. One of his sons was also a game warden and had gone to the scene of the shooting to transport his father to the hospital.
Survivors
Warden Fairbanks was survived by his wife and six children.
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.
Game Warden Fairbanks served with the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources.
Thank you for your service to the Saint Paul community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Game Warden Fairbanks.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Minnesota Department of Natural Resources - Enforcement Division has lost 18 officers; 5 of them killed feloniously.
Norman is one of 173 officers killed feloniously in MN, 59% of the 293 remembered there.
Norman is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Norman 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 1930, 1 officer at Minnesota Department of Natural Resources - Enforcement Division was killed feloniously, the 2nd heaviest of 3 years on record. The heaviest was 1940, with 3.
In 1930, 4 officers in MN were killed feloniously, the 4th heaviest of 93 years on record. The heaviest was 1922, with 11.
In 1930, 239 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 2nd heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1930, 241 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 5th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Norman was 58. Of the 5 killed feloniously at Minnesota Department of Natural Resources - Enforcement Division whose age is recorded, half were between 45 and 55; the middle age was 50.
Norman was 58. Of the 166 killed feloniously in MN whose age is recorded, half were between 33 and 49; the middle age was 41.
Norman was 58. 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.
Norman was 58. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38.
When
May holds 20% of these deaths at Minnesota Department of Natural Resources - Enforcement Division; July holds the most, 60%. Saturdays: 20%.
May holds 8.7% of these deaths in MN; August holds the most, 16.8%. Saturdays: 18.5%.
May holds 8% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Saturdays: 16.3%.
May holds 8.5% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Saturdays: 16.2%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 27.8% of all 18 deaths at Minnesota Department of Natural Resources - Enforcement Division, the 2nd most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 20% 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
Minnesota Department of Natural Resources - Enforcement Division has 18 officers remembered here, Norman among them.
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Charles Wetsel Oct 1, 1897
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August Olson Mar 19, 1922
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Joseph E. Kreager
May 26, 1922
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Frank J. Appel
May 8, 1925
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Joseph Twaddle
Apr 25, 1930
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Norman D. Fairbanks
May 3, 1930
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John Linklater
Jul 8, 1933
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Olaf Pearson Lofquist
Jan 4, 1936
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Dudley Philip Brady
Jul 12, 1940
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Melvin A. Holt
Jul 12, 1940
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Marcus E. Whipps
Jul 12, 1940
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Charles V. Masoner
Mar 22, 1941
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Ronald E. Shager
Feb 22, 1967
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Gilmer Fred Keeler
Apr 21, 1968
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Russell John Nelson
Sep 28, 1975
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Grant Scott Coyour
Jun 11, 1999
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Eugene Herman Wynn, Jr.
Apr 19, 2019
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Sarah Ann Grell
May 24, 2021
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
17 officers from Minnesota Department of Natural Resources - Enforcement Division are honored on badge.nw. Showing the 16 most recent.
