Constable Rasmus L. Rasmussen

Rasmus L. Rasmussen

Constable Rasmus Rasmussen was shot and killed while controlling the perimeter of a home in which a man was barricaded at the intersection of North Main Street and Cherry Street.

The suspect had been involved in an argument with the owner of a service station next to his house earlier in the day. The man then went to a store and purchased a rifle and ammunition. When he returned to the scene he shot at the owner of the service station but missed. A bystander saw him with the gun and attempted to take it from him. The suspect then shot and killed the bystander before barricading himself in the house.

Responding officers and citizens surrounded the house and attempted to talk the suspect out. During the standoff, Constable Rasmussen shot some windows out. The suspect inside returned fire, killing him. The other officers, citizens, and a military machine gun company returned fire, killing the suspect.

Constable Rasmussen also served as a deputy with the Sonoma County Sheriff's Office. He was survived by his wife and five children and is buried in the Berkeley Cemetery.