Special Agent Oscar E. Olson

Special Agent Oscar E. Olson

United States Department of the Interior - Bureau of Indian Affairs - Office of Justice Services, U.S. Government

End of Watch Sunday, October 26, 1930

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Oscar E. Olson

Special Agent Oscar Olson was shot and killed while searching for bootleggers at a house on the Morongo Indian Reservation near Banning at 4:30 am.

Agent Olson was investigating who was supplying alcohol to the people on the reservation. Around midnight, Agent Olson found two men who did not belong on the reservation and told them to leave and not return. A few hours later, one of the men returned a few miles from where he had been ordered to leave. The subject stated that he did not have a key to the vehicle, but his partner, who was in the house nearby, had it. Agent Olson enlisted the aid of a Morongo Indian Reservation officer, and they entered the house. While inside the home, Agent Olson drew his weapon when the subject became threatening. As he backed out the door, he was shot and fatally injured by another man who had grabbed a rifle and hidden in the bushes outside.

On February 2, 1931, the subject, 19, was apprehended, convicted of voluntary manslaughter, and sentenced to eight years in a federal prison because the murder was in Indian territory.

Agent Olson was a North Dakota National Guard veteran and served with the United States Department of the Interior - Bureau of Indian Affairs - Office of Justice Services for ten years. He was survived by his wife and three children.

Bio

  • Age 35
  • Tour 10 years
  • Badge Not available
  • Military Veteran

Incident Details

  • Cause Gunfire
  • Location California
  • Weapon Rifle
  • Offender Sentenced to 8 years

alcohol violation

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“Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God."
Matthew 5:9

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Federal Air Marshal Service (Retired)

November 4, 2022

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