Edgar Albert Lindgren (1900-1922)

Biography 

Edgar Albert Lindgren was born on December 22, 1900, in Illinois. Lindgren served as a U.S. Navy Fireman Second Class during World War I. He married Leona Edith Marble, and they had a son, Edgar. In June 1921, Lindgren began working as a deputy game warden for the Bureau of Biological Survey (Bureau) of the U.S. Department of Agriculture, one of the predecessor agencies of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Three weeks before his death, the Bureau appointed Lindgren as a game warden under the Division of Refuge Law Enforcement in Council Bluffs, Iowa.  

Cause of Death  

On August 13, 1922, poachers shot Lindgren in Council Bluff, Iowa. Although Lindgren had not served the Bureau in Council Bluff for long, he had already made a name for himself for being very active in arresting poachers who hunted turtle doves out of season. On the day of the incident, Lindgren had apprehended two brothers and their unarmed nephew near Big Lake after they had shot an American bittern, a heron family bird, in violation of federal law. When Lindgren asked for the men’s hunting licenses, the men shot him at point blank range, then left him on the ground to bleed out. On August 17, 1922, Lindgren died from his wounds. The shooters were convicted of second-degree murder and sentenced to life in prison.  Additionally, both shooters were Italian. At least one newspaper cited this fact to advocate that only naturalized citizens be allowed to possess firearms. In the aftermath of his death, the Solicitor of the U.S. Department of Agriculture drafted a bill that would allow assailants of the Bureau to be prosecuted in federal court. In honor of Lindgren’s service, the U.S. Employee’s Compensation Commission paid both Lindgren’s widow and son a monthly compensation. 

Sources

“Edgar A Lindgren (1900-1922).” Ancestry 

“History of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.” U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, 5 Aug. 2009 

“Letter About U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Enforcement Personnel Who Have Been Killed in the Line of Duty” Received by Craig Floyd

Madison, Mark. “Exploring Our Past: The First Name on the Wall.” Fish & Wildlife News: January/February/March 2001, Jan. 2001

Randolph, Vickie. “Conversation about Edgar A. Lindgren.” Received by Mark Madison, 29 Feb. 2000.

“Summary of Assaults on Federal Agents, 1918-1964.” U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Museum and Archives.

“U.S. Deputy Game Warden badge.” USFWS National Digital Library 

“U.S. Game Warden Edgar Albert Lindgren.” Officer Down Memorial Page

Key Fields

Born 1900, Died 1922, Age 21, Male, Game Warden, Division of Refuge Law Enforcement, Iowa, Gun, Bullet Wound, Navy, World War I