March 18, 1908: Duluth Police pass resolution “deploring the death” of fallen brother

On this day in Duluth in 1908, Duluth police officers passed a resolution “deploring the death” of fallen patrolman Stans Milostand. Milostand did not die in the line of duty, but was standing in line for the call of duty when death called instead. He had been standing with his fellow patrolman for roll call the previous Saturday evening when he “dropped unconscious to the floor.” Officers had a taxi take Milostand home to 903 East Sixth Street, where he “sank into a stupor” and later became violent. His wife called the police, and two officer came to restrained him until an ambulance arrived and took him to St. Mary’s Hospital, where he died on March 5. He was just 41 years old and left behind a wife and three children. Twenty patrolman accompanied the funeral procession. Milostan, the newspaper said, was “well liked.” That, if the resolution is any indication, was an understatement. It held that “That grim visitor, death, has overtaken and removed from our midst our beloved fellow officer…. whose kind heart ever beat beat in tender sympathy for the unfortunate ones in whose company duty called him…. [Milostand] was a compassionate officer, whose ready hand and willing heart were ever at the service of his associates, and whose sudden and ultimatel death has cast a gloom over the department.”

The 1890 Police Headquarter’ Michigan Street level was home to the Patrol Department. This photograph shows what is though to be the Duluth’s first patrol wagon—after it regained its city status in 1887. Note the massive doors that lead to the stables inside. (Image: Duluth Public Library)