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Incident
Deputy Sheriff Rudolph Howell died from injuries he received several days before while chasing a suspect in Devils Lake, North Dakota. Deputy Howell saw the suspect enter a motor vehicle and attempted to stop him. The suspect began to run with Deputy Howell in pursuit. During the chase, Deputy Howell collapsed and hit his head on the pavement, fracturing his skull. The man he was pursuing was apprehended later in the day. He was sentenced to 30 days in jail and fined $7 for driving without a license. Deputy Howell had served with the Ramsey County Sheriff's Department for three years and had been a candidate for sheriff at the November 1950 election.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and three children.
In Our Keeping
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- Added to badge.nw
- 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.
Deputy Sheriff Howell gave the Ramsey County Sheriff's Department 3 years.
Thank you for your service to the Devils Lake community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Deputy Sheriff Howell.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Accident
Rudolph is the only officer of Ramsey County Sheriff's Department remembered here.
Rudolph is one of 15 officers lost to accidents in ND, 24.6% of the 61 remembered there.
Rudolph is one of 8,275 officers lost to accidents in the United States, 30% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Rudolph is one of 10,100 officers lost to accidents worldwide, 29.8% of the 33,917 remembered here.
33,917 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1950, 2 officers in ND were lost to accidents, the 2nd heaviest of 10 years on record. The heaviest was 1966, with 4.
In 1950, 58 officers in the United States were lost to accidents, the 77th heaviest of 174 years on record. The heaviest was 1929, with 118.
In 1950, 65 officers worldwide were lost to accidents, the 83rd heaviest of 200 years on record. The heaviest was 1930, with 131.
Who
Rudolph was 52. Of the 14 lost to accidents in ND whose age is recorded, half were between 36.5 and 54.3; the middle age was 45. Rudolph had served 3 years; the middle length of service was 4.5 years.
Rudolph was 52. Of the 7,718 lost to accidents in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 46; the middle age was 36. Rudolph had served 3 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Rudolph was 52. Of the 9,451 lost to accidents worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 45; the middle age was 36. Rudolph had served 3 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
September holds 20% of these deaths in ND; May holds the most, 20%. Mondays: 6.7%.
September holds 9.2% of these deaths in the United States; August holds the most, 9.5%. Mondays: 13.4%.
September holds 9.1% of these deaths worldwide; August holds the most, 9.3%. Mondays: 13.5%.
How
Accident deaths account for 100% of all 1 deaths at Ramsey County Sheriff's Department.
Accident deaths account for 24.6% of all 61 deaths in ND, the 2nd most common cause.
Accident deaths account for 30% of all 27,551 deaths in the United States, the 2nd most common cause.
Accident deaths account for 29.8% of all 33,917 deaths worldwide, the 2nd most common cause.
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 42-W
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
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