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Incident
Chief of Police Nels Romer was shot and killed when he responded to a domestic disturbance on Christmas day at 12:30 pm. He was shot by the male subject as he arrived at the home on 1st Avenue Northwest. The suspect then drove into town and shot at two citizens before being arrested by the county sheriff. The sheriff took the man to jail in Bismark to prevent an angry mob from lynching him. On March 1, 1927, the 22-year-old suspect was found guilty of second-degree murder and sentenced to 23 years in prison. He was denied parole on June 5, 1935. Chief Romer had served with the Mandan Police Department for five years and previously served with the Stutsman Sheriff’s Department. He was survived by his second wife and three children. He was preceded in death by his first wife and one-year-old child.
Survivors
He was survived by his second wife and three children.
In Our Keeping
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- 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.
Chief of Police Romer gave the Mandan Police Department 10 years.
Thank you for your service to the Mandan community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Chief of Police Romer.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Mandan Police Department has lost 2 officers; 1 of them killed feloniously.
Nels is one of 39 officers killed feloniously in ND, 63.9% of the 61 remembered there.
Nels is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Nels 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 1926, 2 officers in ND were killed feloniously, more than in any other year.
In 1926, 209 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 9th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1926, 209 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 12th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Nels was 55. Of the 37 killed feloniously in ND whose age is recorded, half were between 36 and 55; the middle age was 50. Nels had served 10 years; the middle length of service was 3 years.
Nels was 55. 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. Nels had served 10 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Nels was 55. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Nels had served 10 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
December holds 7.7% of these deaths in ND; July holds the most, 17.9%. Saturdays: 20.5%.
December holds 9.4% of these deaths in the United States, more than any other month. Saturdays: 16.3%.
December holds 9.2% of these deaths worldwide, more than any other month. Saturdays: 16.2%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 50% of all 2 deaths at Mandan Police Department, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, 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 handgun, in 23.1% 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 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
Mandan Police Department has 2 officers remembered here, Nels among them.
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 55-E
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
1 officer from Mandan Police Department are honored on badge.nw.