Clayton Olson
Agency patch
Patrolman

Clayton Olson

Minneapolis Police Department — Minneapolis, MN
Felonious
End of Watch August 9, 1931
Age 36
Tour of Duty 5 yrs
The Vigil Panel 62 ›
Gender Male

Incident

Patrolman Olson was shot and killed while investigating a suspicious man on East Lake Street. When he followed the man into an alley the suspect opened fire with a .45 caliber handgun, striking Patrolman Olson six times. The suspect then fled the scene. Patrolman Olson was able to stagger out of the alley but died before medical assistance arrived. During a manhunt the suspect was shot and killed by another officer.

Survivors

Patrolman Olson had been with the agency for five years and was survived by his wife and 4-year-old daughter.

In Our Keeping

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Stewardship
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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.
Patrolman Olson gave the Minneapolis Police Department 5 years.
Thank you for your service to the Minneapolis community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Patrolman Olson.

— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993

Agency

Type Police Department
Location Minneapolis, Hennepin County, MN
Platform Identity mpd.hennepin.mn.us.gov.nw

Service Record

End of Watch August 9, 1931
Tour of Duty 5 yrs
Age 36
Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Felonious
Weapon Handgun

The Sacrifice · Felonious

Clayton is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.

34,117 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.

  1. See the roll
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Compare against
I

Time

In 1931, 221 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 5th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.

Every year on record · United States
II

Who

Clayton was 36. 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. Clayton had served 5 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.

Age at death
Where he stood among them
Age by years of service
III

When

August holds 8.9% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Sundays: 15.2%.

By month
By day of the week
IV

How

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.

Every cause
Weapons recorded
V

His people

Minneapolis Police Department has 50 officers remembered here, Clayton among them.

Across the years

Patrolman Clayton Olson

Minneapolis Police Department · End of Watch August 9, 1931

Where the Name Is Cut

National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 33-W

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