Prev
Incident
Trooper Hans-Peter Roelle was shot and killed following a pursuit of a suspect in Wasilla, Alaska.
The suspect had pushed his girlfriend out of a moving vehicle and then fled the scene when medical personnel and troopers arrived. A pursuit ensued and was called off as speeds exceeded 100 mph. Trooper Roelle and another trooper then proceeded to the suspect's home. As Trooper Roelle took cover behind a fence in the front yard, the suspect fired three shots, striking Trooper Roelle once in the head and killing him instantly. The shooter then murdered his two children before committing suicide.
Trooper Roelle had served with the Alaska State Troopers for 18 years.
Survivors
He is survived by his wife and four children.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
neuraspine_01krbxtnj7gcq7f1hb5h7xs03e- Stewardship
- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
Are you family? This record can be claimed and maintained by those who knew Hans-Peter. Claim this record.
This page is permanent and free. No fee to view it, no advertising, no tracking, and no account required. It will not be taken down.
Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Trooper Roelle gave the Alaska State Troopers 18 years.
Thank you for your service to the people of Alaska. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Trooper Roelle.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Alaska State Troopers has lost 12 officers; 7 of them killed feloniously.
Hans-Peter is one of 35 officers killed feloniously in AK, 70% of the 50 remembered there.
Hans-Peter is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Hans-Peter 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 2001, 1 officer at Alaska State Troopers was killed feloniously, the 2nd heaviest of 6 years on record. The heaviest was 2014, with 2.
In 2001, 2 officers in AK were killed feloniously, more than in any other year.
In 2001, 158 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 23rd heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 2001, 160 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 27th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Hans-Peter was 40. Of the 7 killed feloniously at Alaska State Troopers whose age is recorded, half were between 32 and 41; the middle age was 34. Hans-Peter had served 18 years; the middle length of service was 7.5 years.
Hans-Peter was 40. Of the 34 killed feloniously in AK whose age is recorded, half were between 32 and 41.8; the middle age was 34.5. Hans-Peter had served 18 years; the middle length of service was 4 years.
Hans-Peter was 40. 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. Hans-Peter had served 18 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Hans-Peter was 40. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Hans-Peter had served 18 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
November holds 14.3% of these deaths at Alaska State Troopers; May holds the most, 42.9%. Saturdays: 42.9%.
November holds 8.6% of these deaths in AK; January holds the most, 17.1%. Saturdays: 25.7%.
November holds 8.1% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Saturdays: 16.3%.
November holds 8.2% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Saturdays: 16.2%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 58.3% of all 12 deaths at Alaska State Troopers, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 14.3% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 70% of all 50 deaths in AK, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 20% 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
Alaska State Troopers has 12 officers remembered here, Hans-Peter among them.
-
Dennis Finbar Cronin
Feb 18, 1974
-
Larry Robert Carr
Dec 11, 1974
-
Frank Stuart Rodman
Dec 11, 1974
-
Roland Edgar Chevalier, Jr.
Apr 3, 1982
-
Troy Lynn Duncan
May 19, 1984
-
Robert Lee Bittick
Oct 11, 1994
-
Bruce Alan Heck
Jan 10, 1997
-
Hans-Peter Roelle
Nov 24, 2001
-
Tage Brandel Toll
Mar 30, 2013
-
Gabriel Lenox Rich
May 1, 2014
-
Patrick Scott Johnson
May 1, 2014
-
Curtis Matthew Worland
Dec 13, 2022
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
11 officers from Alaska State Troopers are honored on badge.nw.
