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Incident
Chief of Police Frank Town was shot and killed after responding to a domestic disturbance in which a man came home drunk and began to assault his wife and daughter. When his wife fled, the man ran to his barn with a .22 caliber rifle. Chief Town parked next to the back door of the home and began to approach the house. The suspect ambushed him from the barn and shot him once in the heart, killing him. The suspect was later apprehended by one of his neighbors and several deputies. Chief Town had served with the Park Rapids Police Department for at least 11 years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife, two sons, and stepdaughter.
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.
Chief of Police Town gave the Park Rapids Police Department 11 years.
Thank you for your service to the Park Rapids community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Chief of Police Town.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Frank is the only officer of Park Rapids Police Department remembered here.
Frank is one of 173 officers killed feloniously in MN, 59% of the 293 remembered there.
Frank is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Frank 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 1943, 1 officer in MN was killed feloniously, the 43rd heaviest of 93 years on record. The heaviest was 1922, with 11.
In 1943, 66 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 109th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1943, 86 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 79th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Frank was 59. Of the 166 killed feloniously in MN whose age is recorded, half were between 33 and 49; the middle age was 41. Frank had served 11 years; the middle length of service was 8 years.
Frank was 59. 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. Frank had served 11 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Frank was 59. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Frank had served 11 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 Park Rapids Police Department. The weapon recorded was rifle, in 100% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 59% of all 293 deaths in MN, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was rifle, in 10.4% 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 rifle, in 5.9% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,117 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was rifle, in 5.3% of these deaths.
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 63-W
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
0 officers from Park Rapids Police Department are honored on badge.nw.