Patrolman Peterson and Chief James Daily both succumbed to gunshot wounds received the previous day when they attempted to apprehend a suspicious person at the Sibley Hotel. The man was mentally deranged and opened fire on the officers, mortally wounding both of them.

The suspect was committed in a state mental hospital and died there on May 11, 1931.

Patrolman Peterson had served with the agency for 14 years. He was survived by his wife and five children.