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Incident
Policeman Hermon Personius was shot and killed while investigating the robbery of a train. The operator of the train that was robbed called ahead to another operator to alert the police of the incident and to be on the lookout when the train arrived in Valley City. Policeman Personius, the chief, another officer, and a civilian, met the train when it arrived and began searching it. Policeman Personius caught one man and turned him over to the other officer. He began searching inside another boxcar and was shot twice as he shined his light into the car. The shooter fled into the darkness and was never seen again. A man was charged with his murder but freed when he proved he was somewhere else. On December 28, 1906, the man Policeman Personius caught was sentenced to 15 years of hard labor. Policeman Personius had served with the Valley City Police Department for two and a half years. He was survived by his wife, five sons, and two daughters. He was buried in Hillside Cemetery in Valley City.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife, five sons, and two daughters.
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
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Policeman Personius gave the Valley City Police Department 2 years.
Thank you for your service to the Valley City community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Policeman Personius.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Hermon is the only officer of Valley City Police Department remembered here.
Hermon is one of 39 officers killed feloniously in ND, 63.9% of the 61 remembered there.
Hermon is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Hermon 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 1906, 1 officer in ND was killed feloniously, the 8th heaviest of 32 years on record. The heaviest was 1917, with 2.
In 1906, 89 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 69th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1906, 90 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 75th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Hermon was 44. Of the 37 killed feloniously in ND whose age is recorded, half were between 36 and 55; the middle age was 50. Hermon had served 2.5 years; the middle length of service was 3 years.
Hermon was 44. 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. Hermon had served 2.5 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Hermon was 44. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Hermon had served 2.5 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
August holds 15.4% of these deaths in ND; July holds the most, 17.9%. Tuesdays: 5.1%.
August holds 8.9% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Tuesdays: 13.4%.
August holds 8.6% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Tuesdays: 13.3%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 100% of all 1 deaths at Valley City Police Department. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 100% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 63.9% of all 61 deaths in ND, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 23.1% 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.
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 38-E
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
0 officers from Valley City Police Department are honored on badge.nw.