Vernon Gottwald Obituary, Anoka County Deputy Sheriff Has Died

Vernon Gottwald Obituary, Death – I’m sorry to report some upsetting breaking news. At the age of 95, Vernon Gottwald, who had lived in Fridley for a significant portion of his life, passed away on July 20, 2023. Vern had spent his entire childhood in the same house in Fridley and graduated from Columbia Heights High School. Seven months of Vern’s military service were spent in Korea as a sergeant in that country.
After beginning his law enforcement career in 1953 with the Anoka Police Department, Vern transferred to the Fridley Police Department on August 15, 1953. Vern served as the acting head of police up to May 1954, at which point he took over the role permanently and continued to serve in that capacity until September 1954. Vern submitted his resignation letter to the Fridley Police Department on April 16, 1955.
In April of 1955, Vern started his career in law enforcement by joining the Anoka County Sheriff’s Office as a deputy sheriff. On September 14, 1957, Vern and James Sampson were among those who took part in the largest manhunt and shooting in the history of Anoka County. Vern and his friend Jim Sampson happened upon the O’Kasick brothers, and one of them was found to be carrying a gas can when they came across them. After offering the driver of the stalled automobile a ride, Deputy Gottwald and Deputy Sampson approached the vehicle, which led to the outbreak of gunfire. The O’Kasick brothers became a person of interest following the death of Minneapolis Police Officer Robert Fossum one month earlier.
In retaliation, Deputy Sampson was shot and killed. When Gottwald’s ammo ran out, he attempted to call for assistance, but the deputy force was trapped within the building. Following the O’Kasicks’ successful kidnapping of a victim, there was a pursuit that continued into the territory of Carlos Avery Game Farm. Deputy Sampson was able to crawl to the squad so that he could make a radio call for assistance. During the course of the firefight, officers from throughout the county arrived to assist. At the end of it all, the captive as well as two out of the three O’Kasick brothers were killed. After being arrested, the third brother ultimately passed away while being held in custody.