Patrolman Leo Pavlak

Leo Pavlak

Patrolman Leo Pavlak was shot and killed during a robbery of a payroll while exiting the post office on Concord Street in South St. Paul.

Patrolman Pavlak was escorting two messengers from the post office when a car pulled up, emitting a lot of smoke, and two subjects got out. Patrolman Pavlak complied with their orders to put his hands up. At that time, another patrolman came around the corner, and the men opened fire on him, striking him several times. Then, without warning, the man covering Patrolman Pavlak shot him in the head with a shotgun.

The shooter was the brother of the leader of the Barker-Karpis Gang.

Patrolman Pavlak had served with the South St. Paul Police Department for only four months. Survivors include his wife and two children. His son served as a St. Paul police officer, and two of his grandsons and a great-grandson also served with Minnesota law enforcement agencies.

He is buried in Cavalry Cemetery in Saint Paul, Minnesota.

The Post Office was renamed the Officer Leo Pavlak Post Office in his honor.

The Barker-Karpis Gang committed violent crimes throughout the American Midwest in the late 1920s and mid-1930s. Members and associates of the gang were responsible for the murders of at least ten law enforcement officers.

Please click here to view all the law enforcement officers killed by the Barker-Karpis Gang.