Slain Minnesota game wardens to be honored 71 years later

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Slain Minnesota game wardens to be honored 71 years later
(Released June 2, 2011)

A bronze plaque honoring three Minnesota game wardens killed in the line of duty seven decades ago will be dedicated at 10 a.m. on Monday, June 13, at the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) Region 4 headquarters in New Ulm.

“We are finally honoring these men for their courage, sacrifice and service in protecting and preserving Minnesota’s natural resources,” said Col. Jim Konrad, DNR Enforcement Division director. “It is long overdue.”

On July 12, 1940, Minnesota game wardens Dudley Brady of Windom and A. Melvin Holt of Worthington were inspecting a commercial fishery at Lake Sakatah in Waterville, Minn. During their initial contact with the business owner, they were ordered off the property, and both complied. Wardens Brady and Holt returned later that afternoon with Warden Marcus Whipps of Kasota.

During the ensuing inspection, the owner of the business entered his residence to retrieve his commercial fishing license. He returned carrying a shotgun, killing the three men. He then turned the gun on himself.

Natural resources law enforcement was still in its infancy at the time of the incident. Game wardens, today called conservation officers, didn’t wear uniforms and were unarmed. The murder of the three wardens led to the issue of both in May 1941.

Although the story quickly faded from Minnesota history, the event known as “Black Friday” has never been forgotten by conservation officers. It is featured prominently in the book “Minnesota Game Warden” by the late, retired game warden/conservation officer Woody Schermann.

Honoring the slain wardens was discussed often over the years, but last year’s 70th anniversary of the event renewed interest in erecting a permanent memorial.

“It’s called one of the darkest days in Minnesota law enforcement history, so there was a lot of interest in getting something done to honor and remember these men,” said Lt. Mike Scott, who is among a group of conservation officers spearheading the memorial initiative. “We owe them a debt of gratitude.”

Scott said the $6,000 raised for the memorial has come solely from officer donations within the DNR’s Division of Enforcement.

“Everyone from Chief Konrad, to the district supervisors, to the Minnesota Conservation Officer Association pitched in for a successful fundraiser,” Scott said.

Brady, Holt and Whipps are among 14 game wardens or conservation officers to die in the line of duty in Minnesota.