Prev
Incident
Officer Carl Petersen was shot and killed when he attempted to arrest four men who had broken into a local hardware store at approximately 2:00 am. As he approached the building, he was shot in the leg and bled to death at the scene. Three weeks later, two of the men were arrested and charged with his murder. One was convicted of murder and sentenced to 25 years in prison. On July 26, 1936, he was released. On January 14, 1923, the other suspect was sentenced to 18 months. He was released six months later. A third suspect was arrested in Aberdeen, Washington, in 1926. He was convicted of murder and sentenced to 25 years. On April 8, 1936, he was released. The fourth suspect, believed to be the shooter, was never apprehended. Officer Petersen had served with the Westhope Police Department for one week. He was survived by his wife and nine children. He was preceded in death by a daughter. He was buried in Dovre Lutheran Cemetery, Newberg, North Dakota.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and nine children.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
neuraspine_01krbxtn8062xt4mppdd121fs1- Stewardship
- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
Are you family? This record can be claimed and maintained by those who knew Carl. Claim this record.
This page is permanent and free. No fee to view it, no advertising, no tracking, and no account required. It will not be taken down.
Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Officer Petersen served with the Westhope Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the Westhope community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Officer Petersen.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Carl is the only officer of Westhope Police Department remembered here.
Carl is one of 39 officers killed feloniously in ND, 63.9% of the 61 remembered there.
Carl is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Carl 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 1922, 2 officers in ND were killed feloniously, more than in any other year.
In 1922, 228 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 3rd heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1922, 306 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 3rd heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Carl was 56. Of the 37 killed feloniously in ND whose age is recorded, half were between 36 and 55; the middle age was 50. Carl had served 0 years; the middle length of service was 3 years.
Carl was 56. 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. Carl had served 0 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Carl was 56. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Carl had served 0 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
October holds 5.1% of these deaths in ND; July holds the most, 17.9%. Mondays: 10.3%.
October holds 7.9% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Mondays: 13.8%.
October holds 7.8% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Mondays: 13.8%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 100% of all 1 deaths at Westhope Police Department. The weapon recorded was gun, in 100% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 63.9% of all 61 deaths in ND, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 30.8% 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 gun, in 22.8% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 52% of all 33,917 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 20.4% of these deaths.
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 52-E
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
0 officers from Westhope Police Department are honored on badge.nw.