Railroad Detective Bruce Palmer was shot and killed near the railroad depot during a robbery, while escorting two railroad employees with a portion of the payroll to the First National Bank in Proctor, Minnesota.

Two suspects with shotguns approached the group and immediately shot Detective Palmer several times in the side. They then told the other two employees to drop the money bags. The employees complied and fled the scene. The two suspects then escaped in a stolen vehicle.

Detective Palmer had served with the Duluth, Missabe, and Northern Railroad Police Department for 8 years. He had previously served with the Duluth Police Department, Oliver Police Department in Wisconsin, and as chief of the Proctor Police Department. He was survived by his wife.