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Incident
Lieutenant Oscar Olson was shot and killed while attempting to arrest a suspect who had barricaded himself inside his house at 2212 West First Street with a gun. Lieutenant Olson attempted to resolve the situation peacefully, but was eventually forced to kick down the door. As he did so the man shot him with a revolver. Lieutenant Olson was able to return fire and killed the man. Lieutenant Olson had served with the Duluth Police Department for 33 years and had previously served as its police chief from 1935 to 1939.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and child.
In Our Keeping
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- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
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Tributes
33 years. You could have gone home.
Lieutenant Olson gave the Duluth Police Department 33 years. Still answering calls at the end.
Thank you for your service to the Duluth community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Lieutenant Olson.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Duluth Police Department has lost 8 officers; 7 of them killed feloniously.
Oscar is one of 173 officers killed feloniously in MN, 59% of the 293 remembered there.
Oscar is one of 15,742 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Oscar 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 1941, 1 officer at Duluth Police Department was killed feloniously, more than in any other year.
In 1941, 1 officer in MN was killed feloniously, the 43rd heaviest of 93 years on record. The heaviest was 1922, with 11.
In 1941, 92 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 61st heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1941, 260 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 4th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Oscar was 54. Of the 5 killed feloniously at Duluth Police Department whose age is recorded, half were between 32 and 54; the middle age was 34. Oscar had served 33 years; the middle length of service was 24 years.
Oscar was 54. Of the 166 killed feloniously in MN whose age is recorded, half were between 33 and 49; the middle age was 41. Oscar had served 33 years; the middle length of service was 8 years.
Oscar was 54. 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. Oscar had served 33 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Oscar was 54. Of the 15,853 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Oscar had served 33 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
December holds 14.3% of these deaths at Duluth Police Department; January holds the most, 28.6%. Mondays: 14.3%.
December holds 9.8% of these deaths in MN; August holds the most, 16.8%. Mondays: 11%.
December holds 9.4% of these deaths in the United States, more than any other month. Mondays: 13.8%.
December holds 9.2% of these deaths worldwide, more than any other month. Mondays: 13.8%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 87.5% of all 8 deaths at Duluth Police Department, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was shotgun, in 14.3% 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 34,102 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was shotgun, in 6.3% of these deaths.
His people
Duluth Police Department has 8 officers remembered here, Oscar among them.
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 51-W
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
7 officers from Duluth Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
