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Incident
Special Policeman Henry Kaepernick was accidentally shot and killed by a guard at the Faribault jail.
Several days earlier, the Younger brothers, notorious bankrobbers and accomplices of Jesse James, had been captured and brought to the jail. Because of fears that the brothers' accomplices would attempt to break them out of jail using a ruse, police officers were told not to visit the jail without calling first.
For an unknown reason, Special Policeman Kaepernick did not receive this message. In the early morning hours of October 3, 1876, he approached the jail and identified himself as an officer. The guard, who was not expecting him, ordered him to halt. Special Policeman Kaepernick, surprised that the guard did not recognize him, again identified himself as a policeman and reached to pull back his jacket and reveal his badge. The guard mistook his gesture as an attempt to draw a weapon and fired, striking Special Policeman Kaepernick in the chest and killing him instantly.
Special Policeman Kaepernick was 29 years old.
Survivors
He was survived by his mother, step-father, and several brothers and sisters, and he is buried at Oak Ridge Cemetery in Faribault.
In Our Keeping
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- Added to badge.nw
- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
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Tributes
150 years is a long time for a name to go unread. Not today.
Special Policeman Kaepernick served with the Faribault Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the Faribault community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Accident
Faribault Police Department has lost 3 officers; 2 of them lost to accidents.
Henry is one of 84 officers lost to accidents in MN, 28.7% of the 293 remembered there.
Henry is one of 8,275 officers lost to accidents in the United States, 30% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Henry is one of 10,100 officers lost to accidents worldwide, 29.6% of the 34,117 remembered here.
34,117 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1876, 1 officer in MN was lost to accidents, the 20th heaviest of 60 years on record. The heaviest was 1923, with 3.
In 1876, 3 officers in the United States were lost to accidents, the 150th heaviest of 174 years on record. The heaviest was 1929, with 118.
In 1876, 9 officers worldwide were lost to accidents, the 156th heaviest of 200 years on record. The heaviest was 1930, with 131.
Who
Henry was 29. Of the 84 lost to accidents in MN whose age is recorded, half were between 32.8 and 53; the middle age was 41.5. Henry had served 0 years; the middle length of service was 8 years.
Henry was 29. Of the 7,718 lost to accidents in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 46; the middle age was 36. Henry had served 0 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Henry was 29. Of the 9,451 lost to accidents worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 45; the middle age was 36. Henry had served 0 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
October holds 7.1% of these deaths in MN; May holds the most, 14.3%. Tuesdays: 14.3%.
October holds 9.1% of these deaths in the United States; August holds the most, 9.5%. Tuesdays: 14.1%.
October holds 9.2% of these deaths worldwide; August holds the most, 9.3%. Tuesdays: 14%.
How
Accident deaths account for 66.7% of all 3 deaths at Faribault Police Department, the most common cause.
Accident deaths account for 28.7% of all 293 deaths in MN, the 2nd most common cause.
Accident deaths account for 30% of all 27,551 deaths in the United States, the 2nd most common cause.
Accident deaths account for 29.6% of all 34,117 deaths worldwide, the 2nd most common cause.
His people
Faribault Police Department has 3 officers remembered here, Henry among them.
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 5-E
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
2 officers from Faribault Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
