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Incident
Constable Rasmus Rasmussen was shot and killed while controlling the perimeter of a home in which a man was barricaded at the intersection of North Main Street and Cherry Street. The suspect had been involved in an argument with the owner of a service station next to his house earlier in the day. The man then went to a store and purchased a rifle and ammunition. When he returned to the scene he shot at the owner of the service station but missed. A bystander saw him with the gun and attempted to take it from him. The suspect then shot and killed the bystander before barricading himself in the house. Responding officers and citizens surrounded the house and attempted to talk the suspect out. During the standoff, Constable Rasmussen shot some windows out. The suspect inside returned fire, killing him. The other officers, citizens, and a military machine gun company returned fire, killing the suspect. Constable Rasmussen also served as a deputy with the Sonoma County Sheriff's Office.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and five children and is buried in the Berkeley Cemetery.
In Our Keeping
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- August 2, 2026
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- August 2, 2026
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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Constable Rasmussen served with the Petaluma Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the Petaluma community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Constable Rasmussen.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Petaluma Police Department has lost 2 officers; 2 of them killed feloniously.
Rasmus is one of 974 officers killed feloniously in CA, 53% of the 1,839 remembered there.
Rasmus is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Rasmus 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 1927, 9 officers in CA were killed feloniously, the 25th heaviest of 163 years on record. The heaviest was 1970, with 24.
In 1927, 220 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 6th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1927, 222 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 9th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Rasmus was 64. Of the 905 killed feloniously in CA whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 43; the middle age was 35.
Rasmus was 64. 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.
Rasmus was 64. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38.
When
April holds 9.1% of these deaths in CA; October holds the most, 9.3%. Wednesdays: 11.8%.
April holds 8.4% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Wednesdays: 12.9%.
April holds 8.6% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Wednesdays: 13.2%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 100% of all 2 deaths at Petaluma Police Department. The weapon recorded was rifle, in 50% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 53% of all 1,839 deaths in CA, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was rifle, in 8.6% 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 rifle, in 5.9% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,117 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was rifle, in 5.3% of these deaths.
His people
Petaluma Police Department has 2 officers remembered here, Rasmus among them.
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 9-E
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
1 officer from Petaluma Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
