Park Rapids Police Department, Minnesota
End of Watch: Saturday, July 10, 1943
Age: 59
Tour of Duty: 11 years
Badge Number: Not available
Cause of Death: Gunfire
Date of Incident: July 10, 1943
Weapon Used: Rifle; .22 caliber
Suspect Info: Apprehended
Chief of Police Frank Town was shot and killed after responding to a domestic disturbance in which a man came home drunk and began to assault his wife and daughter.
When his wife fled, the man ran to his barn with a .22 caliber rifle. Chief Town parked next to the back door of the home and began to approach the house. The suspect ambushed him from the barn and shot him once in the heart, killing him. The suspect was later apprehended by one of his neighbors and several deputies.
Chief Town had served with the Park Rapids Police Department for at least 11 years. He was survived by his wife, two sons, and stepdaughter.