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Incident
Corrections Officer John Oles was stabbed to death during a prison escape from the North Dakota State Penitentiary's old main building. The 21-year-old prison trusty stabbed Officer Oles with a bread knife before escaping. The man had served two months of a one year sentence for auto theft. He was captured by a posse and subsequently sentenced to life in prison. In 1964 his sentence was reduced to 20 years. He was released in 1966. Officer Oles had served with the North Dakota State Penitentiary for four years. He had no known survivors.
Survivors
survivors.
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.
Corrections Officer Oles gave the North Dakota State Penitentiary 4 years.
Thank you for your service to the Bismarck community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Corrections Officer Oles.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
North Dakota State Penitentiary has lost 2 officers; 1 of them killed feloniously.
John is one of 39 officers killed feloniously in ND, 63.9% of the 61 remembered there.
John is one of 15,742 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
John is one of 17,622 officers killed feloniously worldwide, 51.7% of the 34,102 remembered here.
34,102 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1946, 1 officer in ND was killed feloniously, the 8th heaviest of 32 years on record. The heaviest was 1917, with 2.
In 1946, 91 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 62nd heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1946, 93 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 67th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
John was 58. Of the 37 killed feloniously in ND whose age is recorded, half were between 36 and 55; the middle age was 50. John had served 4 years; the middle length of service was 3 years.
John was 58. Of the 14,219 killed feloniously in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 47; the middle age was 38. John had served 4 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
John was 58. Of the 15,853 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. John had served 4 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
May holds 7.7% of these deaths in ND; July holds the most, 17.9%. Mondays: 10.3%.
May holds 8% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Mondays: 13.8%.
May holds 8.5% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Mondays: 13.8%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 50% of all 2 deaths at North Dakota State Penitentiary, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was edged weapon, in 100% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 63.9% of all 61 deaths in ND, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was edged weapon, in 7.7% 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 edged weapon, in 2.2% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,102 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was edged weapon, in 2% of these deaths.
His people
North Dakota State Penitentiary has 2 officers remembered here, John among them.
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 20-E
Others Who Wore This Badge
1 officer from North Dakota State Penitentiary are honored on badge.nw.
