On Wednesday, April 29, 1936, Trooper Pape was traveling on old Highway 61 near Fairport about 5 p.m. when he stopped a car believed to have been stolen.  As he approached the car, the driver, Roscoe Barton, a 23 year-old parolee from Davenport, pointed a gun at Pape and ordered him into the car.  As they proceeded down the highway, Trooper Pape grabbed Roscoe and the two men struggled.  Two shots went off, one striking Roscoe in the head killing him instantly.  The other went into Trooper Pape's abdomen and groin, wounding him extensively.  

Pape was able to stagger out of the car and hail a passing vehicle for help.  He was rushed to Hershey Hospital in Muscatine where doctors tried in vain to save him.  He died Thursday, April 30, 1936, the first member of the Iowa State Patrol to die in the line of duty and the only officer murdered.  Trooper Pape was one of the "Original 50" Iowa Patrolmen.

Trooper Pape served the Iowa State Patrol for 1 year.

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