Police Officer Peter Poull, Jr., Moorhead Police Department, Minnesota

Police Officer Peter Poull, Jr.

Moorhead Police Department, Minnesota

End of Watch Wednesday, October 17, 1888

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Peter Poull, Jr.

Police Officer Peter Poull was shot and killed while attempting to arrest a murder suspect wanted in North Dakota.

The man was being watched by other officers. When the suspect saw the other officers he approached them and abducted them at gunpoint. Officer Poull was notified of the incident and went to the scene near the intersection of Front Street (modern-day Center Avenue) and 8th Street. When the suspect saw him he opened fire, striking Officer Poull.

The suspect then exchanged shots with the other officers, was wounded, and taken into custody. The man was convicted twice of murdering Officer Poull and was executed on September 20th, 1889.

Officer Poull was survived by his wife, 2-week-old daughter, and mother.

Bio

Age 28
Tour Not available
Badge Not available

Incident Details

Cause Gunfire
Weapon Handgun; Revolver
Offender Executed in 1889

abduction, murder suspect

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Peter Poull, Sr. is my great-great-great grandfather, so I stumbled on this story while researching the family tree.

As a retired military policeman and genealogy enthusiast, I felt compelled to act when I saw this man's ruined grave marker. The replacement was financed by a generous donor, Johnsons Auto Repair of Moorhead, MN.

Army LTC (ret.) Jonathan Pontius
US Army Miliary Police Corps

November 29, 2021