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Curtis John Ramsdell
Incident
Officer Ramsdell was shot and killed while transporting a prisoner. He and another officer had arrested a DUI driver and his passenger for disorderly conduct. While transporting the passenger the suspect was able to retrieve a .25 caliber handgun he had in his rear pants pocket and shot Officer Ramsdell in the stomach as he let the suspect out of the car at the jail. A jailer was also shot and wounded as he ran to the scene to help. The suspect, 21, pleaded guilty to second degree murder and was sentenced to 40 years December 21, 1977.
Survivors
Officer Ramsdell had been with the agency for 14 years and was survived by his wife and two 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.
Patrol Officer Ramsdell gave the Columbia Heights Police Department 14 years.
Thank you for your service to the Columbia Heights community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Patrol Officer Ramsdell.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Curtis is the only officer of Columbia Heights Police Department remembered here.
Curtis is one of 173 officers killed feloniously in MN, 59% of the 293 remembered there.
Curtis is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Curtis 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 1977, 2 officers in MN were killed feloniously, the 21st heaviest of 93 years on record. The heaviest was 1922, with 11.
In 1977, 128 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 36th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1977, 146 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 34th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Curtis was 45. Of the 166 killed feloniously in MN whose age is recorded, half were between 33 and 49; the middle age was 41. Curtis had served 14 years; the middle length of service was 8 years.
Curtis was 45. 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. Curtis had served 14 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Curtis was 45. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Curtis had served 14 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
July holds 13.9% of these deaths in MN; August holds the most, 16.8%. Saturdays: 18.5%.
July holds 9.3% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Saturdays: 16.3%.
July holds 9% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Saturdays: 16.2%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 100% of all 1 deaths at Columbia Heights Police 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 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 29-W
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
0 officers from Columbia Heights Police Department are honored on badge.nw.