Patrolman Fred Babcock was shot and killed after he and his partner responded to a burglary call at a grocery store at 76th and Lyndale Avenue South at 2:20 a.m.

His partner got out of the patrol car and Patrolman Babcock continued to drive around the business. He located the getaway car but when he ordered the men out of it they opened fire with a .30-caliber rifle, fatally wounding him. The suspects fled but were all eventually apprehended.

Patrolman Babcock had served with the agency for one year. He was also a decorated WWII Marine Corps veteran and was honored locally when VFW Post #5555 in Richfield was named after him. He was survived by his wife, daughter, and son.

The mayor of Richfield later declared June 14th “Babcock Memorial Day.”