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Incident
Officer James Finn was killed when his horse fell at Lynhurst Avenue and University Avenue as he returned to the Prior Avenue substation. He stopped at a watering trough where he saw an acquaintance and leaned slightly to talk to him. At the same time, his horse slipped on a smooth stone, and Officer Finn was thrown forward with the horse on top of him. He struck his head on the curb in the fall. The horse then rolled onto him as it struggled to get back up. Officer Finn was taken to Cobb Sanitarium but never regained consciousness and succumbed to the injuries the following afternoon. Officer Finn had been with the St. Paul Police Department for eight years. He was survived by his wife and twelve children. He is buried in Calvary Cemetery, St Paul, Minnesota.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and twelve 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.
Police Officer Finn gave the Saint Paul Police Department 7 years.
Thank you for your service to the Saint Paul community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Police Officer Finn.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Accident
Saint Paul Police Department has lost 33 officers; 11 of them lost to accidents.
James is one of 84 officers lost to accidents in MN, 28.7% of the 293 remembered there.
James is one of 8,275 officers lost to accidents in the United States, 30% of the 27,551 remembered there.
James is one of 10,100 officers lost to accidents worldwide, 29.8% of the 33,917 remembered here.
33,917 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1902, 1 officer at Saint Paul Police Department was lost to accidents, the 2nd heaviest of 10 years on record. The heaviest was 1923, with 2.
In 1902, 1 officer in MN was lost to accidents, the 20th heaviest of 60 years on record. The heaviest was 1923, with 3.
In 1902, 17 officers in the United States were lost to accidents, the 124th heaviest of 174 years on record. The heaviest was 1929, with 118.
In 1902, 21 officers worldwide were lost to accidents, the 132nd heaviest of 200 years on record. The heaviest was 1930, with 131.
Who
James was 49. Of the 11 lost to accidents at Saint Paul Police Department whose age is recorded, half were between 30.5 and 50.5; the middle age was 37. James had served 7 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
James was 49. Of the 84 lost to accidents in MN whose age is recorded, half were between 32.8 and 53; the middle age was 41.5. James had served 7 years; the middle length of service was 8 years.
James was 49. Of the 7,718 lost to accidents in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 46; the middle age was 36. James had served 7 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
James was 49. Of the 9,451 lost to accidents worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 45; the middle age was 36. James had served 7 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
June holds 45.5% of these deaths at Saint Paul Police Department, more than any other month. Tuesdays: 36.4%.
June holds 13.1% of these deaths in MN; May holds the most, 14.3%. Tuesdays: 14.3%.
June holds 7.9% of these deaths in the United States; August holds the most, 9.5%. Tuesdays: 14.1%.
June holds 7.9% of these deaths worldwide; August holds the most, 9.3%. Tuesdays: 14%.
How
Accident deaths account for 33.3% of all 33 deaths at Saint Paul Police Department, the 2nd most common cause.
Accident deaths account for 28.7% of all 293 deaths in MN, the 2nd most common cause.
Accident deaths account for 30% of all 27,551 deaths in the United States, the 2nd most common cause.
Accident deaths account for 29.8% of all 33,917 deaths worldwide, the 2nd most common cause.
His people
Saint Paul Police Department has 33 officers remembered here, James among them.
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Daniel O'Connell Jun 17, 1882
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Hans Hanson
Aug 3, 1888
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Thomas C. McCarrick Jun 19, 1891
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Charles Mayer
Feb 1, 1902
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James William Finn
Jun 3, 1902
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Richard Cronin
Jan 3, 1905
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Frank Fraser
Aug 14, 1911
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Michael J. Sullivan
Jun 26, 1914
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Hans Aamold
Sep 27, 1914
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Paul Gottfried
Aug 3, 1919
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William W. McClintock
Apr 2, 1922
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George Albert Stegner
Oct 12, 1922
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E. Earl Hackert
Feb 6, 1923
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William F. Wilson
Feb 6, 1923
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Frank Milanoski
Aug 15, 1924
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Albert J. Cunnien
Jul 3, 1925
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Fred A. Peitsch
Feb 23, 1926
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John Schultz
Feb 23, 1926
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Calbert H. Leedom
Jun 20, 1926
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Axel J. Soderberg
Mar 20, 1928
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Mathew Weiss
Jun 17, 1933
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Lawrence F. Tierney
Nov 14, 1934
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Richard G. Hinshaw
Oct 1, 1937
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Allan G. Lee
Sep 10, 1949
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Alfred V. Sandquist
Jun 18, 1959
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James T. Sackett, Sr.
May 22, 1970
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John Harold Larson
Aug 10, 1974
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John J. O'Brien
Apr 16, 1981
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Ronald Michael Ryan, Jr.
Aug 26, 1994
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Timothy James Jones
Aug 26, 1994
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Gerald Dennis Vick
May 6, 2005
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Joshua Phillip Lynaugh
Feb 16, 2013
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Felicia Dee Reilly
Mar 1, 2025
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 55-W
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
32 officers from Saint Paul Police Department are honored on badge.nw. Showing the 16 most recent.
