Prev
Incident
Deputy Sheriff Richard Magnuson was shot and killed while stopping a car that had run through the Canadian border crossing at the Roseau Port of Entry. Deputy Magnuson stopped the vehicle at 12:40 a.m. on US 310, two miles north of Roseau and eight miles south of the border station. The suspect had shot him ten times with a .22 caliber rifle. Unbeknownst to Deputy Magnuson, the suspect had murdered three young people in Canada before fleeing into the United States. The man was arrested a few hours later. The man, 20, was convicted of murder and sentenced to life in Oak Park Heights Maximum Security Prison. In 1992, he was extradited to Canada. On January 16, 1997, he was convicted of second-degree murder and manslaughter and sentenced to an indeterminate term. If released, he must be returned to a Minnesota prison. Deputy Magnuson had served with the Roseau County Sheriff's Department for only two months.
Survivors
Survivors include his parents.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
neuraspine_01krbxtn3kz8dezn4r4h499eb0- Stewardship
- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
Are you family? This record can be claimed and maintained by those who knew Richard. Claim this record.
This page is permanent and free. No fee to view it, no advertising, no tracking, and no account required. It will not be taken down.
Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Deputy Sheriff Magnuson served with the Roseau County Sheriff's Department.
Thank you for your service to the Roseau community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Deputy Sheriff Magnuson.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Richard is the only officer of Roseau County Sheriff's Department remembered here.
Richard is one of 173 officers killed feloniously in MN, 59% of the 293 remembered there.
Richard is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Richard 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 1978, 4 officers in MN were killed feloniously, the 4th heaviest of 93 years on record. The heaviest was 1922, with 11.
In 1978, 121 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 43rd heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1978, 135 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 40th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Richard was 20. Of the 166 killed feloniously in MN whose age is recorded, half were between 33 and 49; the middle age was 41. Richard had served 0.2 years; the middle length of service was 8 years.
Richard was 20. 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. Richard had served 0.2 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Richard was 20. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Richard had served 0.2 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
August holds 16.8% of these deaths in MN, more than any other month. Wednesdays: 12.7%.
August holds 8.9% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Wednesdays: 12.9%.
August holds 8.6% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Wednesdays: 13.2%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 100% of all 1 deaths at Roseau County Sheriff's Department. The weapon recorded was rifle, in 100% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 59% of all 293 deaths in MN, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was rifle, in 10.4% 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 rifle, in 5.9% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 52% of all 33,917 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was rifle, in 5.3% of these deaths.
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 39-W
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
0 officers from Roseau County Sheriff's Department are honored on badge.nw.