Collection: FND002 - SHSND Foundation - North Dakota Peace Officer Memorial Program
Series:
Tribute
Folder:
DIG
Item:
01901
Title:
Rudolph F. Howell
Date:
Creator:
Inscription/Marks:
4/19/1898
Summary:
Rudy Howell
Devils Lake
September 1950
Devils Lake Daily Journal
September 21, 1950
Deputy collapses! Critically hurt in Pursuing suspect Rudy Howell, Ramsey County deputy sheriff, remained unconscious and in critical condition today after suffering a skull fracture in a fall while chasing a man fleeing from arrest in a Devils Lake street late Wednesday afternoon.
The man, Ronald Kelly, a transient who gave his address as Duluth, MN, later was apprehended by two Devils Lake patrolmen, Gilman Halvorson and Milo Lien, and is being held in the city jail for investigation. Police chief H. M. Lindquist and States Attorney D. S. Heen said Kelly will be questioned at length this afternoon.
Howell, who is a candidate for Sheriff in the November general election was rushed to the hospital by the Firemen's Emergency Ambulance following his collapse. At noon, he had been in a coma for nearly 20 hours.
Eyewitnesses gave this account of the incident: Howell was standing in front of the Colonial Hotel when Kelly walked up and got into a car. Howell then called to the hotel clerk to call the police and chased the car as it was backing out of a parking place. As he got into the door, Kelly got out the other door and ran around a corner with Howell in pursuit. Howell fell, possibly from over-exertion, and was unconscious when help arrived. It was not known why Howell had Kelly under suspicion.
Kelly later was seen by the chef, Ray Greenwood, behind the hotel, doffing his shirt and hat apparently to avoid identification. A later tip resulted in his arrest near the Great Northern depot.
Lindquist said that while Kelly claims to own the car, he was unable to produce a driver's license. Six pair of kid leather gloves were found in the car which Kelly said belonged to a companion whom he was unable to name, the police chief said.
Same, Monday 25 September Deputy Sheriff Rudolph Howell dies of injury Rudolph F. Howell, 52, Ramsey County deputy sheriff, died in a local hospital of a skull fracture at 2:45 a.m. today, four days after he collapsed while chasing a suspect on a street in the Devils Lake business district.
Howell, who was a candidate for Sheriff in the November general election, was conscious only briefly after his fall.
A transient Howell was chasing was arrested later Wednesday and has been held for investigation. He gave his name as Ronald Kelly of Duluth, Minn. States Attorney Douglas B. Heen said an inquest has tentatively been set for Tuesday at 1 p.m. and an autopsy is scheduled.
Howell was born near Munich in Cavalier County April 19, 1898 and farmed near Starkweather where he retained farming interests after coming to Devils Lake in 1943. He joined the city police force in 1947 and at that time became deputy sheriff. He became
an active deputy in 1948. Howell was a member of the Elks, Eagles and Knights of Columbus lodges and of the National Sheriff Association.
He married Mary Goeser October 12, 1920 at Calio N. D. She survives along with his mother, Mrs. Fred Howell of Edinburg, Texas; two daughters, Mrs. Joe Bozovosky, Lidgerwood, and Mrs. Dave Hager, Jamestown; a son, Gilbert, at home; four sisters, Mrs. James Wavra, Mrs. Charles Guelker and Mrs. Ed Skow, all of Edinburg, Texas, and Mrs. Eleanor Opstadahl of Seattle, Wash.; and four grandchildren.
Red ID: FND_I_77307 Image ID: 509127 Image Notes: 10950 00002 01901
