Robbinsdale Police Department, Minnesota
End of Watch: Thursday, February 14, 1985
Age: 35
Tour of Duty: 11 years
Badge Number: 3810
Cause of Death: Gunfire
Date of Incident: February 14, 1985
Weapon Used: Gun; Unknown type
Suspect Info: Sentenced to life
Police Officer John Scanlon was shot and killed after he and another officer cleared the scene of a burglary call at the intersection of France Avenue North and Lakeland Avenue.
After clearing the scene, the second officer left, but Officer Scanlon remained in his patrol car doing paperwork. Although they did not locate a suspect on their initial search, the man returned to the scene, approached Officer Scanlon's vehicle, and opened fire from the driver's side.
The suspect, 43, was later convicted of Officer Scanlon's murder and sentenced to life in prison. He was denied parole in April 2012. He had another parole hearing in 2022. The outcome is unknown.
Officer Scanlon was a United States Vietnam War veteran and had served with the Robbinsdale Police Department for 11 years. He was survived by his wife and adopted son.