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Charles Wetsel
Incident
Game Warden Charles Wetsel was stabbed to death while investigating out of season fishing and hunting near Fosston. He had discovered an Indian family netting fish and trapping muskrat off of their reservation. When he ordered them away from the lake the husband attacked him and stabbed him twelve times as the wife helped. Officer Wetsel shot and killed the husband, wife, and oldest child during the assault. The youngest child witnessed the incident and reported the murder. Warden Wetsel's body wasn't located until one week after his murder.
Survivors
Warden Wetsel was survived by his father.
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
129 years is a long time for a name to go unread. Not today.
Game Warden Wetsel served with the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources.
Thank you for your service to the Saint Paul community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Minnesota Department of Natural Resources - Enforcement Division has lost 18 officers; 5 of them killed feloniously.
Charles is one of 173 officers killed feloniously in MN, 59% of the 293 remembered there.
Charles is one of 15,742 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Charles 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 1897, 1 officer at Minnesota Department of Natural Resources - Enforcement Division was killed feloniously, the 2nd heaviest of 3 years on record. The heaviest was 1940, with 3.
In 1897, 1 officer in MN was killed feloniously, the 43rd heaviest of 93 years on record. The heaviest was 1922, with 11.
In 1897, 52 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 137th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1897, 54 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 136th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Charles was 31. Of the 5 killed feloniously at Minnesota Department of Natural Resources - Enforcement Division whose age is recorded, half were between 45 and 55; the middle age was 50.
Charles was 31. Of the 166 killed feloniously in MN whose age is recorded, half were between 33 and 49; the middle age was 41.
Charles was 31. 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.
Charles was 31. Of the 15,853 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38.
When
October holds 20% of these deaths at Minnesota Department of Natural Resources - Enforcement Division; July holds the most, 60%. Fridays: 80%.
October holds 9.2% of these deaths in MN; August holds the most, 16.8%. Fridays: 17.3%.
October holds 7.9% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Fridays: 14.3%.
October holds 7.8% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Fridays: 14.3%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 27.8% of all 18 deaths at Minnesota Department of Natural Resources - Enforcement Division, the 2nd most common cause. The weapon recorded was edged weapon, in 20% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 59% of all 293 deaths in MN, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was edged weapon, 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 edged weapon, in 2.2% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,102 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was edged weapon, in 2% of these deaths.
His people
Minnesota Department of Natural Resources - Enforcement Division has 18 officers remembered here, Charles among them.
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Charles Wetsel Oct 1, 1897
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August Olson Mar 19, 1922
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Joseph E. Kreager
May 26, 1922
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Frank J. Appel
May 8, 1925
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Joseph Twaddle
Apr 25, 1930
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Norman D. Fairbanks
May 3, 1930
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John Linklater
Jul 8, 1933
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Olaf Pearson Lofquist
Jan 4, 1936
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Dudley Philip Brady
Jul 12, 1940
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Melvin A. Holt
Jul 12, 1940
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Marcus E. Whipps
Jul 12, 1940
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Charles V. Masoner
Mar 22, 1941
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Ronald E. Shager
Feb 22, 1967
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Gilmer Fred Keeler
Apr 21, 1968
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Russell John Nelson
Sep 28, 1975
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Grant Scott Coyour
Jun 11, 1999
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Eugene Herman Wynn, Jr.
Apr 19, 2019
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Sarah Ann Grell
May 24, 2021
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 53-W
Others Who Wore This Badge
17 officers from Minnesota Department of Natural Resources - Enforcement Division are honored on badge.nw. Showing the 16 most recent.
