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Incident
Deputy Sheriff Walter Kruegel succumbed to gunshot wounds sustained nine days earlier while transporting a prisoner. The prisoner produced a concealed .22 caliber handgun and shot Deputy Kruegel twice. Deputy Kruegel was able to struggle with the man and gain control of the gun but the man fled. The suspect was eventually apprehended and charged with murder after Deputy Kruegel died. On March 12, 1955, the suspect, 35, pleaded guilty to third degree murder and was sentenced to 7 to 30 years. Deputy Kruegel had served with the Fillmore County Sheriff's Office for four years.
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- August 2, 2026
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- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Deputy Sheriff Kruegel gave the Fillmore County Sheriff's Department 4 years.
Thank you for your service to the Preston community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Deputy Sheriff Kruegel.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Walter is the only officer of Fillmore County Sheriff's Department remembered here.
Walter is one of 173 officers killed feloniously in MN, 59% of the 293 remembered there.
Walter is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Walter 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 1954, 1 officer in MN was killed feloniously, the 43rd heaviest of 93 years on record. The heaviest was 1922, with 11.
In 1954, 76 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 92nd heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1954, 77 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 97th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Walter was 59. Of the 166 killed feloniously in MN whose age is recorded, half were between 33 and 49; the middle age was 41. Walter had served 4 years; the middle length of service was 8 years.
Walter 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. Walter had served 4 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Walter was 59. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Walter had served 4 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
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 Fillmore County Sheriff's Department. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 100% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 59% of all 293 deaths in MN, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 24.9% 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 52% of all 33,917 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 20.9% of these deaths.
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 44-W
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
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