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Incident
Deputy Sheriff Oscar Thorsen was shot and killed by a mentally disturbed man holed up in a hotel. Officers were attempting to arrest the man on a civil disturbance charge. The suspect, an escapee from an insane asylum, was apprehended a few days later. When captured, it was discovered that he was suffering from sunstroke. He was admitted to a hospital, where he died on July 11, 1936.
Survivors
Deputy Thorsen was survived by his wife.
In Our Keeping
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- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Deputy Sheriff Thorsen served with the Bottineau County Sheriff's Department.
Thank you for your service to the Bottineau community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Deputy Sheriff Thorsen.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Aslak is the only officer of Bottineau County Sheriff's Department remembered here.
Aslak is one of 39 officers killed feloniously in ND, 63.9% of the 61 remembered there.
Aslak is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Aslak 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 1936, 1 officer in ND was killed feloniously, the 8th heaviest of 32 years on record. The heaviest was 1917, with 2.
In 1936, 136 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 31st heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1936, 136 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 38th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Aslak was 54. Of the 37 killed feloniously in ND whose age is recorded, half were between 36 and 55; the middle age was 50.
Aslak was 54. 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.
Aslak was 54. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38.
When
July holds 17.9% of these deaths in ND, more than any other month. Wednesdays: 23.1%.
July holds 9.3% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Wednesdays: 12.9%.
July holds 9% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Wednesdays: 13.2%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 100% of all 1 deaths at Bottineau County Sheriff's Department. The weapon recorded was gun, 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 gun, in 30.8% 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 gun, in 22.8% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 52% of all 33,917 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 20.4% of these deaths.
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 9-E
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