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Incident
Village Marshal James Gardner succumbed to a gunshot wound sustained five days earlier after responding to the home a mentally ill man who had been causing a disturbance on October 27th, 1916.
He had already been called to the home two times earlier in the evening after the subject became disorderly due to heavy drinking. The subject had destroyed furniture in his sister-in-law's home and set fire to it before leaving to obtain a shotgun.
Marshal Gardner was able to extinguish the flames. The man then came out of the home and shot him with a double barreled shotgun, mortally wounding him. Marshal Gardner was taken to Swedish Hospital, in Minneapolis, where he remained until succumbing to his wounds on November 1st, 1916.
The subject was convicted of Marshal Gardner's murder and sentenced to prison. He was paroled in 1928.
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- August 2, 2026
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- September 9, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Village Marshal Gardner served with the Osseo Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the Osseo community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Village Marshal Gardner.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
James is the only officer of Osseo Police Department remembered here.
James is one of 173 officers killed feloniously in MN, 59% of the 293 remembered there.
James is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
James is one of 17,631 officers killed feloniously worldwide, 52% of the 33,917 remembered here.
33,917 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1916, 3 officers in MN were killed feloniously, the 10th heaviest of 93 years on record. The heaviest was 1922, with 11.
In 1916, 155 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 24th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1916, 175 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 23rd heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
James was 44. Of the 166 killed feloniously in MN whose age is recorded, half were between 33 and 49; the middle age was 41.
James was 44. 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.
James was 44. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38.
When
November holds 6.4% of these deaths in MN; August holds the most, 16.8%. Wednesdays: 12.7%.
November holds 8.1% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Wednesdays: 12.9%.
November holds 8.2% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Wednesdays: 13.2%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 100% of all 1 deaths at Osseo Police Department. The weapon recorded was shotgun, in 100% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 59% of all 293 deaths in MN, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was shotgun, in 8.1% 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 shotgun, in 7% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 52% of all 33,917 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was shotgun, in 6.3% of these deaths.
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 10-E
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
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