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Incident
Superintendent Harry Minto was shot and killed while searching for a prison escapee. The posse encountered the escapee on a road about two miles from Jefferson and immediately exchanged shots with the man. Superintendent Minto was struck in the head and killed. The suspect had obtained a gun earlier in the evening when the Jefferson marshal attempted to arrest him. The suspect was able to gain control of the marshal's service weapon and shot him, seriously wounding him. The suspect was also shot and killed during the incident. An accomplice of the suspect later murdered Officer R. G. Warnke, of the Federal Bureau of Prisons in Leavenworth, Kansas, on June 20, 1929. He was executed for Officer Warnke's murder. Superintendent Minto had served as Chief of Police of Salem, Oregon, from 1892 to 1896 and two terms as Sheriff of Marion County. He was appointed Superintendent in 1914.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife, sister, and two brothers, and cremated in Portland, Oregon.
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
23 years. You could have gone home.
Superintendent Minto gave the Oregon Department of Corrections 23 years. Still answering calls at the end.
Thank you for your service to the people of Oregon. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Superintendent Minto.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Oregon Department of Corrections has lost 11 officers; 10 of them killed feloniously.
Harry is one of 115 officers killed feloniously in OR, 58.4% of the 197 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 1915, 1 officer at Oregon Department of Corrections was killed feloniously, the 3rd heaviest of 7 years on record. The heaviest was 1902, with 3.
In 1915, 2 officers in OR were killed feloniously, the 8th heaviest of 75 years on record. The heaviest was 1931, with 5.
In 1915, 152 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 26th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1915, 157 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 29th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Harry was 51. Of the 5 killed feloniously at Oregon Department of Corrections whose age is recorded, half were between 42 and 44; the middle age was 43. Harry had served 23 years; the middle length of service was 10.5 years.
Harry was 51. Of the 97 killed feloniously in OR whose age is recorded, half were between 36 and 51; the middle age was 43. Harry had served 23 years; the middle length of service was 6.5 years.
Harry was 51. 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 had served 23 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Harry was 51. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Harry had served 23 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
September holds 10% of these deaths at Oregon Department of Corrections; June holds the most, 30%. Tuesdays: 30%.
September holds 8.7% of these deaths in OR; November holds the most, 12.2%. Tuesdays: 13%.
September holds 9.1% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Tuesdays: 13.4%.
September holds 8.8% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Tuesdays: 13.3%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 90.9% of all 11 deaths at Oregon Department of Corrections, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 10% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 58.4% of all 197 deaths in OR, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 21.7% 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 handgun, in 23.4% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 52% of all 33,917 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 20.9% of these deaths.
His people
Oregon Department of Corrections has 11 officers remembered here, Harry among them.
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Frank Bonham Ferrell
Jun 9, 1902
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Thurston Jones, Sr.
Jun 9, 1902
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Bailey T. Tiffany
Jun 9, 1902
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Harry P. Minto
Sep 28, 1915
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James Milton Holman
Aug 12, 1925
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John L. Sweeney
Aug 12, 1925
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Alvin M. Schmitt Apr 11, 1969
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Robert C. Geer
Apr 7, 1972
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James Michael Francke
Jan 17, 1989
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Louis Steven Perrine
Nov 17, 1994
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Buddy Ray Herron
Nov 29, 2011
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 52-W
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
10 officers from Oregon Department of Corrections are honored on badge.nw.
