Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

40 years ago today was a tragic day for law enforcement. This deputy was shot and killed because basically somebody didn't want to pay taxes. In a democracy if you don't like the way the country is being run, you make changes at the ballot box, not with a finger on the trigger. May this deputy rest in peace knowing he did his duty honorably and bravely.

Thomas W Canfield, MSgt, USAF (Ret)
USAF Law Enforcement, Retired

February 13, 2023

Thank you for your service. RIP sir.

Retired First Sergeant Thomas Webb
New York State Police - Troop "D"

July 30, 2022

I remember watching the “In the Line of Duty” movie about this horrific incident in college. Regarding the previous reflection, I hope that Chief Graf and Officer Schnabel are able to deal with their PTSD and are able to talk to someone to get the help they need and deserve. Agent Cheshire, rest in peace always sir knowing that your service, both military as well as LE, and sacrifice will never, ever be forgotten by your law enforcement brethren.

Detective Cpl/3 Steven Rizzo
Delaware State Police (Retired)

February 13, 2021

37 Years After the Deadliest Day in North Dakota, Officers are Still Feeling the Effects

Posted on Feb 13, 2020 KXNET NEWS

On Feb. 13, in 1983, a Heaton farmer was the centerpiece in a shootout that killed two U.S. Marshals just north of Medina. Three other law enforcement officials were wounded, including a Medina Police Officer.

The officer who was wounded is Steve Schnabel, who now lives in Fargo. Thursday morning, he said that just three weeks after the shootout, everyone at the Medina Police Department was fired, and the department was shut down by the Mayor.

Ever since then, the city has been trying to forget it ever happened. But for Schnabel and the Medina Police Chief at the time, Darrell Graf, forgetting is not an option.

To explain where the city sits today, we have to take a trip back to the early 1980s.

It was just north of Medina that shots rang out at 5:50 p.m. on Feb. 13, 37 years ago. Although nothing here remains that would tell passersby this was the site of a shootout, the memories of the deadliest day in North Dakota still linger over the city of Medina.

“Gordon had what I believe is comparable to PTSD. It was called shell shock back then. I think that’s what really got the ball rolling,” Graf described Gordon Kahl.

Kahl was a highly decorated World War II veteran. Before this infamous day, he was well-known as a man with a kind heart.

“If you were parked along the side of the road with car troubles, not only would he be the first to stop to help you, but he’d get it running too. He had people who would disagree with his politics, but otherwise, Gordon was a number one guy,” Graf added.

Kahl’s politics are ultimately what put him in trouble with the law. He was a known tax protester.

On the day of the shootout, U.S. Marshals came to Medina, where Kahl was meeting with farmers to arrest him for violating his probation.

Schnabel said how he got involved: “I thought there were looking for directions. Well, when I met up with them, they basically handed me a shotgun and said ‘here you go, you’re helping us with the roadblock.”

Twenty-two-year-old Schnabel was shot in the leg.

“Right afterward, yeah, it was a tough thing to deal with, nightmares and all that good stuff. But Darrell was basically the scapegoat for everybody in this thing,” Schnabel shared.

Twenty-seven-year-old Graf said he predicted what would happen. He even warned a local sheriff’s deputy, Brad Kapp, who was a part of setting up the roadblock that resulted in bloodshed.

“I told him this is not going to turn out good if a few people try to go out and round up this man and his family and friend. It’s not going to go well,” Graff explained.

Graf was busy getting the ambulance and rescue squad ready, just in case, when the shooting happened.

He said he would not let his police officers take part, and was promised he wouldn’t have to.

“I gave it a 99 percent chance that he wouldn’t give up and a one percent chance that he would,” Graf shared.

And his instincts were right.

“The local people hated my guts because I brought all this trouble to town. Little do they know, I was the one who tried to keep…” Graf gestured that he tried to keep the confrontation out of town.

He moved to Fargo for 17 years after, and then to Bismarck for 19, to avoid the town and the people who he said put the full weight of the incident on his shoulders.

For both Graf and Schnabel, careers in law enforcement were no longer an option.

“I had a good family and a few friends for support, and the rest of it was packing a gun and wearing a bullet-proof vest wherever I went. And then, people wonder to this day, why I haven’t gotten rid of the PTSD,” Graf added.

For 37 years, Graf and Schnabel have been stuck re-living a series of events, they both said could have been avoided completely.

They even wrote a book outlining everything they’ve learned since Feb. 13, 1983.

Retired Police Officer
NYPD

February 14, 2020

Deputy Marshal Chesire,
On today, the 32nd anniversary of your death, I would just like to say thank you for your service and sacrifice for our Country-not just as an LEO-but when you served in the USN as well. And to your family and loved ones, I wish to extend my deepest sympathy.

Fair Winds And Following Seas

Anonymous
United States Border Patrol

February 13, 2015

"In a nation governed by law, there is no greater tragedy than the loss of those killed while trying to enforce and defend that law. We all owe a great debt, which we can honor, but never fully repay, to those brave men who died trying to enforce our law and protect us".

D U S
M

February 13, 2015

Bob and I were classmates in the U.S. Marshals Service training academy in Glynco, Georgia when we started our careers with the Marshals service in 1978. Bob, Gus Jones, Richard Bateman and I often hung around together during our off time at the academy. Based on my conversations with Bob, I realized he was a good family man. He often expressed his love for his wife and children. He was proud of being a Deputy U.S. Marshal and he worked hard at the academy. I was devastated when I heard about Bob's death in 1983. The Marshals Service family lost a good man and we will never forget him.

Chief Deputy David Couch (Retired)
U.S. Marshals Service (1978-2004)

January 19, 2014

Bob and I were classmates in the U.S. Marshals Service training academy in Glynco, Georgia when we started our careers with the Marshals service in 1978. Bob, Gus Jones, Richard Bateman and I often hung around together during our off time at the academy. Based on my conversations with Bob, I realized he was a good family man. He often expressed his love for his wife and children. He was proud of being a Deputy U.S. Marshal and he worked hard at the academy. I was devastated when I heard about Bob's death in 1983. The Marshals Service family lost a good man and we will never forget him.

Chief Deputy U.S. Marshal (Retired)
U.S. Marshals Service (1978-2004)

January 19, 2014

Bob and I were classmates in the U.S. Marshals Service training academy in Glynco, Georgia when we started our careers with the Marshals service in 1978. Bob, Gus Jones, Richard Bateman and I often hung around together during our off time at the academy. Based on my conversations with Bob, I realized he was a good family man. He often expressed his love for his wife and children. He was proud of being a Deputy U.S. Marshal and he worked hard at the academy. I was devastated when I heard about Bob's death in 1983. The Marshals Service family lost a good man and we will never forget him.

Chief Deputy U.S. Marshal (Retired)
U.S. Marshals Service (1978-2004)

January 19, 2014

I believe his son is an assistant county attorney in Otter Tail County, Minnesota.

John H.

December 26, 2013

Bob and I were very good friends in the US Navy and stationed in Adak Alaska.....Lost contact with his wife and kids...would like to get in touch with them.

CTOCS --- USN Retired
US Navy

October 6, 2013

A POLICEMAN’S PRAYER - Teach me that sixty minutes make an hour, sixteen ounces a pound, and one hundred cents a dollar. Help me so to live that I can lay down at night with a clear conscience, without a gun under my pillow, and unhaunted by the faces of those to whom I have brought pain. Grant that I may earn my meal ticket on the square, and in earning it I may do unto others as I would have others do unto me. Deafen me to the jingle of tainted money and to the rustle of unholy skirts. Blind me to the faults of other fellow, but reveal to me my own. Guide me so that each night when I look across the dinner table at my family, who have been a blessing to me, I shall have nothing to conceal. Keep me young enough to laugh with little children, and sympathetic enough to be considerate of old age. And when comes the day of darkening shades and the smell of flowers, the tread of soft footsteps and the crunching wheels in the yard, make the ceremony short and the epitaph simple – “Here lays a man.” --Unknown

John D. Hall, Deputy U.S. Marshal, Ret'd
United States Marshal Service 1971-1998

February 21, 2013

RIP, Heros are never forgotten

James Kotke
Civilian / Former Officer
WSF Park Police (Wi.)

August 8, 2012

Your heroism and service is honored today, the 29th anniversary of your death. Your memory lives and you continue to inspire. Thank you for your service. My cherished son Larry Lasater was a fellow police officer murdered in the line of duty on April 24, 2005 while serving as a Pittsburg, CA police officer.

Time never dimishes respect and your memory will always be honored and revered.

I pray for the solace of all those who love and remember you for I know both the pain and pride are forever. Your family is in my heart's embrace, I thank your friends for sharing their devotion to you by their loving reflections.

Phyllis Loya
Mom of fallen California Officer Larry Lasater, Pittsburg PD, eow 4/24/05

February 13, 2012

RIP Sir

James Kotke
Civilian / Former Officer
WSF Park Police (Wi.)

February 13, 2012

Deputy Cheshire, you will not be forotten! R.I.P.

Deputy Sheriff
Livingston County (Il) Sheriff's Ofc.

February 13, 2010

I remember going on patrol with Bobby in the SF Bay Area police department where he worked before joining the Marshall's service. He was always very energetic, positive and dedicated to his work. I am so sorry for the loss of this exceptional man.

George Smyrnos, Deputy District Attorn
Former Police Cadet/Dispatcher

August 6, 2009

Rest In Peace.

#2959
U.S. Marshals

February 13, 2009

"The Badge"
He starts his shift each day
To respond to calls unknown.
He drives a marked patrol car.
A police officer he is known.
He's paid by the citizens' taxes
To make it safe on the streets.
But he usually has a second job
'Cause a waitress has his salary beat.
Now he doesn't know a holiday
'Cause he works all year round.
And when Thanksgiving and Christmas finally arrive
At his home he cannot be found.
He's cursed and assaulted often,
The one whos blood runs blue.
He seldom ever gets a thanks,
To some he's just a fool.
His friends are always other cops
'Cause people just don't understand
That underneath his badge and gun,
He's just another man.
He knows there might not be a tomorrow
In this world of drugs and crime.
And he gets so mad at the court system
'Cause the crooks don't get any time.
And each day when he leaves for work,
He prays to God above.
Please bring me home after my shift
So I can see the ones I love.
But tonight he stops a speeding car,
He's alone down this ole' highway.
It's just a little traffic infraction.
He does it everyday.
Well, he walks up to the driver's window,
And his badge is shining bright.
He asked the guy for a driver's license,
When a shot rang through the night.
Yes, the bullet hit its mark,
Striking the officer in the chest.
But the Department's budget didn't buy
Each officer a bullet-proof vest.
So he lay on the ground bleeding.
His blood wasn't blue - His blood was red.
And briefly he thought of his loved ones
'Cause in a moment the officer was dead.
In the news they told the story
Of how this officer had died.
And some who listened cared less,
But those who loved him cried.
Well, they buried him in uniform
With his badge pinned on his chest.
He even had his revolver,
He died doing his best.
Written By:
David L. Bell
Sergeant
Richland County Sheriff's Department
Columbia, South Carolina
Used with Special Permission of the Author
Copyright © 1993 - All Rights Reserved
and may not be duplicated without permission

Investigator David L Bell
Richland County Sheriff's Dept., Columbia, SC

March 20, 2008

YOU ARE REMEMBERED TODAY AND THANK YOU SIR FOR YOUR SERVICE

VANDENBERGHE
MANCHESTER, NH

January 13, 2008

I knew Bobby as a child; our parents were good friends and my mother babysat him, so we played together all the time. He will always be "Bobby" to me. It has taken this long for me to be able to say goodbye. I am grateful for the life you lived and am so sorry that you left us too soon. Much love and fond memories are in my heart. I am proud to have known you. Love and Light to you and yours, Ellen

Ellen Rincon-Pruitt
family friend

December 4, 2007

I remember Bob well as we worked together for a Bay Area police department in California. A wonderful young man with a bright future. I recently lost another police friend so today I reflect on the memories of those I worked with in the police service. I just hope Bob's children remember their father as a fine person. Such a tragic loss.

Sandra Weissel
Retired Police Dispatcher

July 29, 2006

I was in South Dakota when I got the news. I was so close yet so far away. The last and only time I met you was when we were 12 or 13 years old. I will never forget you Bobby. God Bless You, cousin.

Ofc. Wayne D. Cheshire
Department of Homeland Security

March 2, 2005

Nemo Me Impune Lacessit. Rest easy.

Deputy M. Moore
Warren County S.O. (OH)