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Incident
Sergeant Root succumbed to wounds received when he was beaten and shot with his own weapon during a traffic stop on West Second Street. Two juvenile suspects attacked him with a jack handle and then shot him with his own weapon. He was transported to a local hospital where he succumbed to the wounds six weeks later. Both suspects were apprehended, but because of delay in Sergeant Root's death neither was charged with murder.
Survivors
Sergeant Root had been with the agency for 24 years and was survived by his wife and daughter.
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
24 years. You could have gone home.
Sergeant Root gave the Duluth Police Department 24 years. Still answering calls at the end.
Thank you for your service to the Duluth community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Sergeant Root.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Duluth Police Department has lost 8 officers; 7 of them killed feloniously.
Carl is one of 173 officers killed feloniously in MN, 59% of the 293 remembered there.
Carl is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Carl 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 1966, 1 officer at Duluth Police Department was killed feloniously, more than in any other year.
In 1966, 1 officer in MN was killed feloniously, the 43rd heaviest of 93 years on record. The heaviest was 1922, with 11.
In 1966, 77 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 91st heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1966, 81 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 87th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Carl had served 24 years; the middle length of service was 24 years.
Carl had served 24 years; the middle length of service was 8 years.
Carl had served 24 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Carl had served 24 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
August holds 28.6% of these deaths at Duluth Police Department; January holds the most, 28.6%. Thursdays: 28.6%.
August holds 16.8% of these deaths in MN, more than any other month. Thursdays: 14.5%.
August holds 8.9% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Thursdays: 14%.
August holds 8.6% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Thursdays: 14.1%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 87.5% of all 8 deaths at Duluth Police Department, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was officer's handgun, in 14.3% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 59% of all 293 deaths in MN, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was officer's handgun, in 5.2% 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 officer's handgun, in 5.8% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 52% of all 33,917 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was officer's handgun, in 5.2% of these deaths.
His people
Duluth Police Department has 8 officers remembered here, Carl among them.
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 53-W
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
7 officers from Duluth Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
