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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- 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.
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
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Minneapolis Police Department has lost 50 officers; 32 of them killed feloniously.
Clayton is one of 173 officers killed feloniously in MN, 59% of the 293 remembered there.
Clayton is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Clayton is one of 17,631 officers killed feloniously worldwide, 51.7% of the 34,117 remembered here.
34,117 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1931, 2 officers at Minneapolis Police Department were killed feloniously, more than in any other year.
In 1931, 3 officers in MN were killed feloniously, the 10th heaviest of 93 years on record. The heaviest was 1922, with 11.
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.
In 1931, 222 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 9th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Clayton was 36. Of the 32 killed feloniously at Minneapolis Police Department whose age is recorded, half were between 36 and 50; the middle age was 40.5. Clayton had served 5 years; the middle length of service was 8.5 years.
Clayton was 36. Of the 166 killed feloniously in MN whose age is recorded, half were between 33 and 49; the middle age was 41. Clayton had served 5 years; the middle length of service was 8 years.
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.
Clayton was 36. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Clayton had served 5 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
August holds 21.9% of these deaths at Minneapolis Police Department, more than any other month. Sundays: 21.9%.
August holds 16.8% of these deaths in MN, more than any other month. Sundays: 12.7%.
August holds 8.9% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Sundays: 15.2%.
August holds 8.6% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Sundays: 15.2%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 64% of all 50 deaths at Minneapolis Police Department, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 25% 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 51.7% of all 34,117 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 20.9% of these deaths.
His people
Minneapolis Police Department has 50 officers remembered here, Clayton among them.
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Robert Laughlin Jul 28, 1884
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Charles C. Channels May 27, 1906
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Joseph Ollinger
Jul 15, 1911
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William Joseph Lydon
Nov 25, 1913
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George B. Anderson
Nov 28, 1913
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Otto G. Ostby
May 19, 1915
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Nels C. Anderson
May 31, 1916
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George Connery
Apr 24, 1917
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James A. Weare
Feb 7, 1919
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George Woessner
Jun 24, 1919
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John Francis Young
Jul 13, 1919
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Frank S. Hallett
Aug 25, 1920
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Emil Engstrom
Aug 15, 1923
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Michael J. Lawrence
Dec 30, 1925
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Albert Anderson
Feb 2, 1928
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Clayton J. Seawell
May 4, 1929
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Harry E. Parker
Dec 24, 1930
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Harry McGraw
Feb 1, 1931
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Clayton Olson
Aug 9, 1931
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Harold Hagen
Aug 3, 1932
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Ira Leon Evans
Dec 16, 1932
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Leo R. Gorski
Dec 18, 1932
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John W. Thomas Aug 5, 1933
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Peter Erath May 26, 1934
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Ben J. Lehman
May 3, 1936
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Georgianna Sharrot
Jun 14, 1937
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James H. Trepanier
Sep 20, 1938
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John B. Gearty
Jul 10, 1939
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Adolpf G. Karpinsky
May 22, 1941
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Harold O. Olson
Aug 9, 1941
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John W. O'Neil
Jun 7, 1944
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Donald T. McHale
Mar 25, 1951
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Robert H. Fossum
Aug 17, 1957
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Leo M. Bessner
May 12, 1958
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William F. Herkal
May 11, 1959
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Andrew Ferman Sharp
Aug 17, 1963
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James E. Hendricks
Dec 15, 1963
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Lloyd Ellsworth Reed
Aug 6, 1965
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Richard L. Bergquist
Apr 7, 1969
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Joseph G. Pudlick
Feb 4, 1972
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Inno H. Suek
Sep 30, 1972
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George Anthony Partridge Jr.
May 26, 1976
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Richard Paul Miller, Sr.
Aug 25, 1981
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David Ward Mack
Nov 2, 1986
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Jerome Victor Haaf
Sep 25, 1992
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Paul K. Moen
Jul 1, 1995
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Ward Lee Canfield
Mar 2, 2000
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Melissa Jayne Schmidt
Aug 1, 2002
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David Richard Loeffler
May 29, 2009
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Jamal Mitchell
May 30, 2024
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 33-W
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