Officer Emil Engstrom
End of Watch : August 14, 1923
Minneapolis Police Department
| Officer Emil EngstromEnd of Watch : August 14, 1923Minneapolis Police Department |
| OFFICER EMIL ENGSTROM Minneapolis PD Died August 14, 1923 On Tuesday night, August 14th, Officer Emil Engstrom, a police taxicab inspector, and Louis W. Taylor, President of Red Top Cab Company, were driving through the intersection at Grant Street and 5th Avenue South when Engstrom recognized a robbery suspect. The suspect, William Stauffer, was a cab driver wanted for robbery of a bread wagon driver near the Curtis Hotel earlier in the day. Engstrom told Taylor to stop. Engstrom got out of the car and was approaching the suspect when Stauffer shot him in the neck. Taylor got out of the car and Stauffer shot at him, hitting him in the side. Stauffer then ran toward 16th Street and 5th Avenue, put his gun in the driver's ribs and told him to "drive like hell." The car fled to Portland Avenue, then to Lake Street. Another cab driver and motorist took Engstrom and Taylor to General Hospital. Officer Engstrom was able to identify the shooter prior to dying. Since everyone left the scene, officer searching for the suspects did not know which way the suspect fled. However, Stauffer surrendered two days later. He sent a friend with his gun and a note telling police where to find him. Stauffer was later found guilty of Engstrom's murder and sentenced to life in Stillwater Penitentiary. At the time of his death, Officer Engstrom was 36 years and old and married. He had only been with the department since January 1st, 1923. His funeral was held August 17th at the Swedish Tabernacle at 7th Street and 8th Avenue South and he was buried at Lakewood Cemetery. Sourced from: The book "We Will Remember" With permission from Lisa Lovering, Author and Board of Director MN Law Enforcement Memorial Association L.E.M.A. 2009 |
| John Francis McDermott | James Art Wilson |