Patrol Inspector Lobdell

US Border Patrol

May 15, 1898 - December 25, 1928

Died - December 25, 1928

Patrol Inspector Lobdell began his duty with the US Border Patrol on June 16, 1928.  He received his training while working out of the International Falls, MN station.  On July 11, 1928 Patrol Inspector Lobdell arrived in Roseau, MN where he was placed in charge of the Roseau office.

On Tuesday, December 25, 1928 at approximately 8:00 pm Patrol Inspector Lobdell left Roseau to begin his patrol duties.  He was to report to the Salol, MN hotel to telephone the senior inspector by 9:00 pm that evening.

Robert Norris of Williams, MN was visiting friends in Roseau and left for home right after the 9:00 pm curfew siren sounded.  Shortly after Mr. Norris left town he discovered the body of Patrol Inspector Lobdell.  He was lying on his back with a flashlight in his left hand and a billy club in his right.  Patrol Inspector Lobdell's government issued automobile was still running and the lights were on.

The authorities were notified and a posse was formed to find the person responsible for Patrol Inspector Lobdell's death.  Within 12 hours, the posse, which consisted of both local law enforcement and border patrol inspectors, tracked down and arrested a man stating to be George Ryan.  Ryan's route suggested that he was attempting to flee into Canada.

On April 11, 1929 a jury of his peers found Ryan guilty of second-degree murder for the death of Patrol Inspector Robert H. Lobdell.  Ryan was sentenced to life imprisonment of hard labor at the Stillwater State Penitentiary. 

On Christmas evening between the times of 8:30 pm and 9:00 pm, Patrol Inspector Lobdell met his death by a close range single shot to the left temple.  An autopsy later revealed a 25-calibre steel jacket bullet.  The next spring the empty cartridge was found near the scene of the murder, the automatic weapon was never located.

It is surmised that while Patrol Inspector Lobdell was on his way to Salol he observed Ryan who was walking along Hwy. 11.  Patrol Inspector Lobdell approached Ryan and attempted to question him.  For this, Patrol Inspector Lobdell paid the ultimate sacrifice.  The man who wore badge number 1473 gave his life in the performance of his duties leaving behind his wife Estella (Ziemet) Lobdell, his parents and a brother James.

Funeral services and interment (Elmhurst Cemetery) were held in St. Paul, MN.  Six United States Border Patrol Inspectors acted as pallbearers.

.