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Incident
Patrol Officer Kenneth Olson was shot and killed while answering a prowler call on Ninth Street Northeast at 2:30 am. While investigating the call the man who called to report the prowler opened fire with a shotgun, striking Officer Olson in the chest. Officer Olson had served with the East Grand Forks Police Department for four years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife.
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.
Patrol Officer Olson gave the East Grand Forks Police Department 4 years.
Thank you for your service to the East Grand Forks community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Patrol Officer Olson.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Kenneth is the only officer of East Grand Forks Police Department remembered here.
Kenneth is one of 173 officers killed feloniously in MN, 59% of the 293 remembered there.
Kenneth is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Kenneth is one of 17,631 officers killed feloniously worldwide, 51.7% of the 34,117 remembered here.
34,117 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
Kenneth was 25. Of the 166 killed feloniously in MN whose age is recorded, half were between 33 and 49; the middle age was 41. Kenneth had served 4 years; the middle length of service was 8 years.
Kenneth was 25. 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. Kenneth had served 4 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Kenneth was 25. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Kenneth had served 4 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
July holds 13.9% of these deaths in MN; August holds the most, 16.8%. Wednesdays: 12.7%.
July holds 9.3% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Wednesdays: 12.9%.
July holds 9% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Wednesdays: 13.2%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 100% of all 1 deaths at East Grand Forks Police Department. The weapon recorded was shotgun, in 100% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 59% of all 293 deaths in MN, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was shotgun, in 8.1% 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 shotgun, in 7% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,117 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was shotgun, in 6.3% of these deaths.
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
0 officers from East Grand Forks Police Department are honored on badge.nw.