Oran H. Pape
Agency patch
Patrolman

Oran H. Pape

Iowa State Patrol — Des Moines, IA
Felonious
End of Watch April 30, 1936
Age 29
Tour of Duty 1 yrs
Badge 40
The Vigil Panel 71 ›
Gender Male

Incident

Patrolman Oran Pape was shot and killed while struggling with a suspect who had abducted him during a traffic stop on Highway 61 (modern-day Highway 22) near Fairport. Patrolman Pape had stopped the vehicle suspecting it was stolen. As he approached the car the driver pointed a gun at him and told him to get into the vehicle. As they drove away Patrolman Pape grabbed the driver and began to struggle with him. During the struggle two shots were fired, one struck Patrolman Pape in the abdomen and groin and the other struck the suspect in the head, killing him instantly. Patrolman Pape was able to seek help and was taken to a local hospital where he succumbed to his wounds the next day. Patrolman Pape had served with the Iowa State Patrol for one year.

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

You barely got started.
Patrolman Pape gave the Iowa State Patrol 1 year.
Thank you for your service to the people of Iowa. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Patrolman Pape.

— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993

Agency

Department Iowa State Patrol
Type Highway Patrol
Location Des Moines, Polk County, IA
Platform Identity ihp.ia.us.gov.nw

Service Record

End of Watch April 30, 1936
Tour of Duty 1 yrs
Age 29
Badge Number 40
Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Felonious
Weapon Handgun

The Sacrifice · Felonious

Oran is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.

34,117 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.

  1. See the roll
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Compare against
I

Time

In 1936, 136 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 31st heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.

Every year on record · United States
II

Who

Oran was 29. 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. Oran had served 1 year; the middle length of service was 6 years.

Age at death
Where he stood among them
Age by years of service
III

When

April holds 8.4% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Thursdays: 14%.

By month
By day of the week
IV

How

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.

Every cause
Weapons recorded
V

His people

Iowa State Patrol has 12 officers remembered here, Oran among them.

VI

Where

Patrolman Oran H. Pape

Iowa State Patrol · End of Watch April 30, 1936

Where the Name Is Cut

National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 40-W

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