05/27/2026
On May 22nd, 1923, Night Watchman John Francis McDermott was shot in the line of duty. He had been filling in for the regular Rosemount Police Officer Joe Heinen, who was in the hospital as the result of an automobile accident. John McDermott would succumb to his wounds just five days later, on May 27th, 1923. McDermott, a WWI veteran and carpenter by trade, was u***d and just 27 years old.
On Monday night May 21st, 1923, Night Watchman McDermott began the evening covering the night shift for Officer Heinen and worked into the early morning hours of May 22nd. While on watch, McDermott saw a suspicious vehicle park near Bartelt’s Creamery (located near HWY 3 and Lower 147th Street West). In 1923, this was considered the south end of town. McDermott watched two men walk north “into town, arousing his suspicion”. He was aware that Officer Heinen had previously been threatened by several unnamed men.
McDermott woke three other “companions” to assist him and then hid in waiting near First National Bank (on 145th Street West and just west of HWY 3). A short time later, another car pulled into the Hynes Grain and Seed Store (just south of 145th Street West and HWY 3). Believing that it was the same suspicious car he spotted just moments before, McDermott approached the filling station. One of his comrades now arriving and not recognizing McDermott in the dark, shouted for him to stop, and fired a warning shot in the air. McDermott failed to realize the order was directed at him and kept moving towards the car. At that time, McDermott was mistakenly shot in the back while running across the street near Geraghty’s store (the building on the southwest corner of HWY 3 and 145th Street West) towards the filling station.
Numerous BBs penetrated McDermott’s head and lungs. He died several days later at Sanford Hospital in Farmington on May 27th. He received a military funeral and was laid to rest at St. Joseph’s Cemetery in Rosemount, mere blocks from where he was shot.
RIP Rosemount Night Watchman John Francis McDermott.
