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Incident
Deputy Sheriff Ernest Zettergren was shot and killed when he interrupted a burglary at a local tavern at 6003 University Avenue NE in Fridley. He had noticed that a window was broken out at the business and pulled up behind a car in front of it. He was able to radio the license plate when the suspect came out and approached the vehicle at 3:59 a.m. The man immediately shot Deputy Zettergren twice and then fled with the officer's weapon and clipboard. The man, 35, an ex-convict with a lengthy criminal record, was arrested later in the morning and confessed to the murder. He was convicted of second degree murder a week later and sentenced to life in Stillwater Prison. He hanged himself in his cell on January 31, 1954. Deputy Zettergren had served with the Anoka County Sheriff's Office for five years and previously served with the Columbia Heights Police Department.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and six 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.
Deputy Sheriff Zettergren gave the Anoka County Sheriff's Office 8 years.
Thank you for your service to the Anoka community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Deputy Sheriff Zettergren.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Anoka County Sheriff's Office has lost 2 officers; 2 of them killed feloniously.
Ernest is one of 173 officers killed feloniously in MN, 59% of the 293 remembered there.
Ernest is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Ernest 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 1953, 1 officer in MN was killed feloniously, the 43rd heaviest of 93 years on record. The heaviest was 1922, with 11.
In 1953, 72 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 98th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1953, 72 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 104th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Ernest was 43. Of the 166 killed feloniously in MN whose age is recorded, half were between 33 and 49; the middle age was 41. Ernest had served 8 years; the middle length of service was 8 years.
Ernest was 43. 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. Ernest had served 8 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Ernest was 43. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Ernest had served 8 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
December holds 9.8% of these deaths in MN; August holds the most, 16.8%. Mondays: 11%.
December holds 9.4% of these deaths in the United States, more than any other month. Mondays: 13.8%.
December holds 9.2% of these deaths worldwide, more than any other month. Mondays: 13.8%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 100% of all 2 deaths at Anoka County Sheriff's Office. 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 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
Anoka County Sheriff's Office has 2 officers remembered here, Ernest among them.
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 51-W
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
1 officer from Anoka County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.
