Minnesota State Patrol, Minnesota
End of Watch: Monday, October 15, 1973
Age: 46
Tour of Duty: 13 years
Badge Number: 180
Cause of Death: Gunfire
Date of Incident: October 15, 1973
Weapon Used: Rifle; .22 caliber
Suspect Info: Committed suicide
Trooper Donald Ziesmer was shot and killed while making a traffic stop of a van on Highway 61 near Tofte.
One of the occupants exited the van and opened fire with a .22 caliber rifle, striking Trooper Ziesmer while he was still sitting in his patrol car. The man then committed suicide.
Trooper Ziesmer was a United States Navy veteran and had served with the Minnesota State Patrol for 13 years. He was survived by his wife and three daughters.