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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- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- 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
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Iowa State Patrol has lost 12 officers; 3 of them killed feloniously.
Oran is one of 129 officers killed feloniously in IA, 57.1% of the 226 remembered there.
Oran is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Oran 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 1936, 1 officer in IA was killed feloniously, the 32nd heaviest of 76 years on record. The heaviest was 1911, with 5.
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.
In 1936, 136 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 38th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Oran was 29. Of the 115 killed feloniously in IA whose age is recorded, half were between 32 and 51; the middle age was 41. Oran had served 1 year; the middle length of service was 7 years.
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.
Oran was 29. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Oran had served 1 year; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
April holds 10.9% of these deaths in IA; July holds the most, 16.3%. Thursdays: 9.3%.
April holds 8.4% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Thursdays: 14%.
April holds 8.6% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Thursdays: 14.1%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 25% of all 12 deaths at Iowa State Patrol, the 2nd most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 33.3% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 57.1% of all 226 deaths in IA, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 20.9% 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 51.7% of all 34,117 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 20.9% of these deaths.
His people
Iowa State Patrol has 12 officers remembered here, Oran among them.
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Oran H. Pape
Apr 30, 1936
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Harold Emmerson Klinkefus
May 18, 1949
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Harold Clarence DeGear
Feb 19, 1954
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Ralph Franklin Garthwaite
Jul 2, 1955
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Marvin C. VanderLinden
Jun 11, 1965
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Charles Gerald Whitney
Jun 16, 1985
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Lance G. Dietsch
Jun 30, 1989
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Stanley E. Gerling
Jun 30, 1989
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Allen Patrick Nieland
Oct 14, 1990
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Mark Edward Toney
Sep 20, 2011
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James Kyle Smith
Apr 9, 2021
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Theodore Lawrence Benda
Oct 20, 2021
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 40-W
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
11 officers from Iowa State Patrol are honored on badge.nw.










