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Incident
Police Officer Peter Poull was shot and killed while attempting to arrest a murder suspect wanted in North Dakota. The man was being watched by other officers. When the suspect saw the other officers he approached them and abducted them at gunpoint. Officer Poull was notified of the incident and went to the scene near the intersection of Front Street (modern-day Center Avenue) and 8th Street. When the suspect saw him he opened fire, striking Officer Poull. The suspect then exchanged shots with the other officers, was wounded, and taken into custody. The man was convicted twice of murdering Officer Poull and was executed on September 20th, 1889.
Survivors
Officer Poull was survived by his wife, 2-week-old daughter, and mother.
In Our Keeping
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- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
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Tributes
138 years is a long time for a name to go unread. Not today.
Police Officer Poull served with the Moorhead Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the Moorhead community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Moorhead Police Department has lost 3 officers; 2 of them killed feloniously.
Peter is one of 173 officers killed feloniously in MN, 59% of the 293 remembered there.
Peter is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Peter 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 1888, 2 officers in MN were killed feloniously, the 21st heaviest of 93 years on record. The heaviest was 1922, with 11.
In 1888, 60 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 126th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1888, 63 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 126th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Peter was 28. Of the 166 killed feloniously in MN whose age is recorded, half were between 33 and 49; the middle age was 41.
Peter was 28. 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.
Peter was 28. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38.
When
October holds 9.2% of these deaths in MN; August holds the most, 16.8%. Wednesdays: 12.7%.
October holds 7.9% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Wednesdays: 12.9%.
October holds 7.8% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Wednesdays: 13.2%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 66.7% of all 3 deaths at Moorhead Police Department, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 50% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 59% of all 293 deaths in MN, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 24.9% 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 52% of all 33,917 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 20.9% of these deaths.
His people
Moorhead Police Department has 3 officers remembered here, Peter among them.
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 27-E
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
2 officers from Moorhead Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
