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Incident
Marshal Olson was shot and killed while attempting to arrest two men who were burglarizing a boxcar in the Chicago and Northwestern Railroad depot. The marshal had received a tip that a burglary would take place that night and surprised the men committing the crime. When he ordered the men to surrender, one of them opened fire, striking Marshal Olson once in the abdomen. He was picked up by citizens on Main Street and taken to Ovitz Hospital where he died early the next morning.
The county sheriff and several deputies responded to the scene. They followed tracks left in the snow to a nearby house where they arrested a suspect. The man confessed to the murder the next day and was sentenced to prison for the crime. He was paroled in 1945.
Marshal Olson had served in law enforcement for 23 years as a village marshal and deputy sheriff for the Forest County Sheriff's Office. He was a widower and survived by his son, three daughters, five brothers, and five sisters.
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23 years. You could have gone home.
Village Marshal Olson gave the Laona Police Department 23 years. Still answering calls at the end.
Thank you for your service to the Laona community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Village Marshal Olson.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Otto is the only officer of Laona Police Department remembered here.
Otto is one of 159 officers killed feloniously in WI, 50% of the 318 remembered there.
Otto is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Otto 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 1933, 3 officers in WI were killed feloniously, the 7th heaviest of 89 years on record. The heaviest was 1917, with 11.
In 1933, 184 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 15th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1933, 186 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 18th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Otto was 59. Of the 141 killed feloniously in WI whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 48; the middle age was 38. Otto had served 23 years; the middle length of service was 6.2 years.
Otto was 59. 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. Otto had served 23 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Otto was 59. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Otto had served 23 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
November holds 11.9% of these deaths in WI, more than any other month. Thursdays: 7.5%.
November holds 8.1% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Thursdays: 14%.
November holds 8.2% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Thursdays: 14.1%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 100% of all 1 deaths at Laona Police Department. The weapon recorded was shotgun; 16 gauge, in 100% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 50% of all 318 deaths in WI, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was shotgun; 16 gauge, in 0.6% 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 shotgun; 16 gauge, in 0% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,117 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was shotgun; 16 gauge, in 0% of these deaths.
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 63-W
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
0 officers from Laona Police Department are honored on badge.nw.