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Incident
Officer Brian Klinefelter was shot and killed while attempting to arrest three suspects who had just robbed a liquor store in Albany, MN. He was shot while approaching the suspects' pickup truck just west of the intersection of County Road 133 on the south side of County Road 75 in St. Joseph, MN. Two rounds were stopped by his vest, but two others struck him in his neck and waist. He was pronounced dead approximately one hour later. After a chase, the suspects split up. The shooter forced his way into a house and took the owner hostage. He forced the man to drive around police roadblocks and then locked him in the trunk of the car. A Benton County Sheriff's deputy spotted the car. The suspect pulled over, got out, and pointed the gun at his head. The deputy ordered the man to drop the gun, but he did not. The deputy shot him once, killing him. The other two suspects were found hiding under a deck and arrested. The two suspects arrested were charged with first-degree murder under a law that allows accomplices to be charged with the crime. Officer Klinefelter was posthumously awarded the first-ever Minnesota Medal of Honor for his actions during an incident that had occurred in August 1995. His wife accepted the award on his behalf. Officer Klinefelter had served with the St. Joseph Police Department for 2 years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife, a 3-month-old daughter, parents, and three siblings.
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.
Police Officer Klinefelter gave the St. Joseph Police Department 2 years.
Thank you for your service to the St. Joseph community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Police Officer Klinefelter.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Brian is the only officer of St. Joseph Police Department remembered here.
Brian is one of 173 officers killed feloniously in MN, 59% of the 293 remembered there.
Brian is one of 15,742 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Brian is one of 17,622 officers killed feloniously worldwide, 51.7% of the 34,102 remembered here.
34,102 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1996, 2 officers in MN were killed feloniously, the 21st heaviest of 93 years on record. The heaviest was 1922, with 11.
In 1996, 79 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 86th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1996, 79 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 94th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Brian was 25. Of the 166 killed feloniously in MN whose age is recorded, half were between 33 and 49; the middle age was 41. Brian had served 2 years; the middle length of service was 8 years.
Brian was 25. Of the 14,219 killed feloniously in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 47; the middle age was 38. Brian had served 2 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Brian was 25. Of the 15,853 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Brian had served 2 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
January holds 5.8% of these deaths in MN; August holds the most, 16.8%. Mondays: 11%.
January holds 8% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Mondays: 13.8%.
January holds 7.9% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Mondays: 13.8%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 100% of all 1 deaths at St. Joseph Police Department. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 100% 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 34,102 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 20.9% of these deaths.
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 64-W
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
0 officers from St. Joseph Police Department are honored on badge.nw.