Chief of Police Nels H. Romer

Nels H. Romer

Chief of Police Nels Romer was shot and killed when he responded to a domestic disturbance on Christmas day at 12:30 pm.

He was shot by the male subject as he arrived at the home on 1st Avenue Northwest. The suspect then drove into town and shot at two citizens before being arrested by the county sheriff. The sheriff took the man to jail in Bismark to prevent an angry mob from lynching him.

On March 1, 1927, the 22-year-old suspect was found guilty of second-degree murder and sentenced to 23 years in prison. He was denied parole on June 5, 1935.

Chief Romer had served with the Mandan Police Department for five years and previously served with the Stutsman Sheriff’s Department. He was survived by his second wife and three children. He was preceded in death by his first wife and one-year-old child.