Minnesota Department of Natural Resources - Enforcement Division, Minnesota
End of Watch Friday, October 1, 1897
Add to My HeroesCharles Wetsel
Game Warden Charles Wetsel was stabbed to death while investigating out of season fishing and hunting near Fosston.
He had discovered an Indian family netting fish and trapping muskrat off of their reservation. When he ordered them away from the lake the husband attacked him and stabbed him twelve times as the wife helped. Officer Wetsel shot and killed the husband, wife, and oldest child during the assault. The youngest child witnessed the incident and reported the murder.
Warden Wetsel's body wasn't located until one week after his murder.
Warden Wetsel was survived by his father.
Bio
- Age 31
- Tour Not available
- Badge Not available
Incident Details
- Cause Stabbed
- Weapon Edged weapon; Knife
- Offender Three shot and killed
Most Recent Reflection
View all 9 ReflectionsWarden Wetsel,
On today, the 125th anniversary of your death I would just like to say thank you for your service and sacrifice for the citizens of the state of Minnesota.
R.I.P.
USBP
Anonymous
United States Border Patrol
October 1, 2022
Recent LODD Deaths
![Segus R. Jolivette](https://www.odmp.org/media/thumb/125/officer/27106/c_2024_jolivette.jpg)
Senior Corporal Segus R. Jolivette
Lafayette Police Department, LA
EOW: July 25, 2024
![Mohamed Said](https://www.odmp.org/media/thumb/125/officer/27101/police-officer-mohamed-said.jpg)
Corporal Mohamed Said
Melvindale Police Department, MI
EOW: July 21, 2024
![Edgar Ordonez](https://www.odmp.org/media/thumb/125/officer/27100/c_edgar-ordonez.jpg)
Probationary Police Officer Edgar Ordonez
New York City Police Department, NY
EOW: July 10, 2024
![Robert William Sumner](https://www.odmp.org/media/thumb/125/officer/27096/c_robert-sumner.png)
Corporal Robert William Sumner
Oklahoma Department of Corrections, OK
EOW: July 14, 2024
![Matthew Bowen](https://www.odmp.org/media/thumb/125/officer/27095/police-officer-matthew-bowen.jpg)
Police Officer Matthew Bowen
Vacaville Police Department, CA
EOW: July 11, 2024
Deputy Sheriff Fernando Esqueda
Harris County Sheriff's Office, TX
EOW: July 11, 2024
![Kevin Linn Palmer](https://www.odmp.org/media/thumb/125/officer/27091/c_k._palmer.jpg)
Assistant Chief Kevin Linn Palmer
North Richland Hills Police Department, TX
EOW: May 1, 2024
![Jamieson Ritter](https://www.odmp.org/media/thumb/125/officer/27085/police-officer-jamieson-ritter.jpg)
Police Officer Jamieson Ritter
Cleveland Division of Police, OH
EOW: July 4, 2024
![William Butler, Jr.](https://www.odmp.org/media/thumb/125/officer/27084/c_butler-bill.jpg)
Deputy Sheriff William Butler, Jr.
Hillsdale County Sheriff's Office, MI
EOW: June 27, 2024