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Incident
Patrolman Leo Pavlak was shot and killed during a robbery of a payroll while exiting the post office on Concord Street in South St. Paul. Patrolman Pavlak was escorting two messengers from the post office when a car pulled up, emitting a lot of smoke, and two subjects got out. Patrolman Pavlak complied with their orders to put his hands up. At that time, another patrolman came around the corner, and the men opened fire on him, striking him several times. Then, without warning, the man covering Patrolman Pavlak shot him in the head with a shotgun. The shooter was the brother of the leader of the Barker-Karpis Gang. Patrolman Pavlak had served with the South St. Paul Police Department for only four months. Survivors include his wife and two children. His son served as a St. Paul police officer, and two of his grandsons and a great-grandson also served with Minnesota law enforcement agencies. He is buried in Cavalry Cemetery in Saint Paul, Minnesota. The Post Office was renamed the Officer Leo Pavlak Post Office in his honor. The Barker-Karpis Gang committed violent crimes throughout the American Midwest in the late 1920s and mid-1930s. Members and associates of the gang were responsible for the murders of more than ten law enforcement officers. Please click here to view all the law enforcement officers killed by the Barker-Karpis Gang.
Survivors
Survivors include his wife and two children. His son served as a St. Paul police officer, and two of his grandsons and a great-grandson also served with Minnesota law enforcement agencies.
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
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Patrolman Pavlak served with the South St. Paul Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the South St. Paul community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Patrolman Pavlak.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Leo is the only officer of South St. Paul Police Department remembered here.
Leo is one of 173 officers killed feloniously in MN, 59% of the 293 remembered there.
Leo is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Leo is one of 17,631 officers killed feloniously worldwide, 52% of the 33,917 remembered here.
33,917 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1933, 3 officers in MN were killed feloniously, the 10th heaviest of 93 years on record. The heaviest was 1922, with 11.
In 1933, 184 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 15th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1933, 186 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 18th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Leo was 39. Of the 166 killed feloniously in MN whose age is recorded, half were between 33 and 49; the middle age was 41. Leo had served 0.3 years; the middle length of service was 8 years.
Leo was 39. 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. Leo had served 0.3 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Leo was 39. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Leo had served 0.3 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
August holds 16.8% of these deaths in MN, more than any other month. Wednesdays: 12.7%.
August holds 8.9% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Wednesdays: 12.9%.
August holds 8.6% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Wednesdays: 13.2%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 100% of all 1 deaths at South St. Paul 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 52% of all 33,917 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 33-W
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
0 officers from South St. Paul Police Department are honored on badge.nw.