Prev
Incident
Deputy Sheriff Norman Helmer was shot and killed while attempting to arrest a hobo who had threatened to shoot another man.
Deputy Helmer, another deputy, the sheriff and a game warden had gone in search of the hobo near a set of railroad tracks.
Deputy Helmer was about 100 yards ahead of the group when several boys who were accompanying him spotted the subject hiding in bushes. The subject complied when Deputy Helmer told him to put down a rifle and come out of the bushes. When the man emerged, however, he produced a .45 caliber revolver and the two exchanged shots. Deputy Helmer and the man were both killed in the exchange.
Deputy Helmer was survived by his wife, two children, parents, and three siblings. He is buried at Greenwood Cemetery in Bemidji, Minnesota.
Survivors
Deputy Helmer was survived by his wife, two children, parents, and three siblings.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
neuraspine_01krbxtq4x0re0edkg355ebfs3- Stewardship
- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
Are you family? This record can be claimed and maintained by those who knew Norman. Claim this record.
This page is permanent and free. No fee to view it, no advertising, no tracking, and no account required. It will not be taken down.
Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Deputy Sheriff Helmer served with the Beltrami County Sheriff's Office.
Thank you for your service to the Bemidji community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Deputy Sheriff Helmer.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Beltrami County Sheriff's Office has lost 2 officers; 2 of them killed feloniously.
Norman is one of 173 officers killed feloniously in MN, 59% of the 293 remembered there.
Norman is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Norman 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 1912, 2 officers in MN were killed feloniously, the 21st heaviest of 93 years on record. The heaviest was 1922, with 11.
In 1912, 133 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 33rd heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1912, 135 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 40th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Norman was 34. Of the 166 killed feloniously in MN whose age is recorded, half were between 33 and 49; the middle age was 41.
Norman was 34. 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.
Norman was 34. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38.
When
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 100% of all 2 deaths at Beltrami County Sheriff's Office. The weapon recorded was handgun; .45 caliber, in 50% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 59% of all 293 deaths in MN, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun; .45 caliber, in 0.6% 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; .45 caliber, in 0.6% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,117 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun; .45 caliber, in 0.5% of these deaths.
His people
Beltrami County Sheriff's Office has 2 officers remembered here, Norman among them.
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 38-W
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
1 officer from Beltrami County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.
