On April 26, 2018 at 10:00 am at the Minot Municipal Auditorium, Room 201. The Minot Police Department is hosting a memorial service commemorating the 100-year anniversary of our first Line of Duty Death.
Background:
On April 26, 1918 Minot Police Officer Patrick Devaney and Agent Kersey Gowin of the North Dakota Attorney General’s Office (these investigators would later become the North Dakota Bureau of Investigations) were attempting to identify and arrest a small group of suspects responsible for a series of area burglaries where automobile tires had been stolen. An area farmer discovered stolen tires left in his field (just northeast of where the Minot International Airport is today) and notified a neighbor who reported it to the Minot Police Department. Outside the city limits, Agent Gowin took over the case but was backed-up by Officer Devaney who volunteered to help. Upon their arrival in the area, the officers discovered an unoccupied car, and began to search the area but immediately were ambushed and repeatedly shot. Officer Devaney was killed instantly. Agent Gowin fought back returning fire, but did not hit his targets. Agent Gowin died early the next morning at Saint Joseph’s Hospital.
Scheduled to speak at the memorial service:
Chief of Police Jason Olson, Minot Police Department
Chief Deputy Attorney General Troy Seibel, ND Attorney General’s Office
Special Guests:
Family of Officer Patrick Devaney:
Janice Sali (Granddaughter), Lynette Sali and Pam Tracy (Great Granddaughters)
Family of Agent Kersey Gowin:
Myrna Mayer (Great-Niece), Steve Gowin (Great-Nephew)