In the late summer of 1993, the life of Ervid Theodore Clemons, a 47-year-old White/Caucasian male, was tragically cut short. On the evening of Wednesday, August 25, 1993, what began as a response to a report of shots fired in Moose Lake would escalate into a standoff that would claim his life. Clemons, a dedicated Deputy Sheriff for the Carlton County Sheriff's Office for 23 years, was one of many officers called to the residence of Donald Polcyn, a man with a known history of mental
illness.
As the standoff stretched into the night, law enforcement from multiple agencies worked to de-escalate the volatile situation. A negotiator was in contact with Polcyn, attempting to persuade him to surrender peacefully while also urging his elderly father to leave the home. A SWAT team was preparing to assess the scene when Polcyn's father appeared at the door. Clemons, along with two other officers, moved to escort the older man to safety.
In a sudden and unforeseen turn of events, Donald Polcyn emerged from the house directly behind his father and opened fire on the officers. Deputy Clemons was struck in the lower abdomen, in an area not protected by his bullet-proof vest. His fellow officers immediately returned fire, and Polcyn was fatally wounded at the scene.
Deputy Ervid Theodore Clemons was rushed to a nearby hospital, but his injuries proved to be fatal, and he was pronounced dead. The assailant, Donald Polcyn, died at the scene of the confrontation, and as a result, no arrests were made in connection with Deputy Clemons' death. He was survived by his wife and two children.
