Benedict G. Fischer, St. Paul Police Patrolman

Tina was right. Benedict George Fischer grew up on a farm, as did his parents and his Bavarian grandparents, great-grandparents, and great-great-grandparents before him. Ben was born in Waconia, Minnesota on November 1, 1881, the third of four children. The family’s log house was located on 126 acres with a little stream winding through the south side of the farm. Ben walked a mile and a half to St. Joseph’s Catholic school in Waconia, and finished sixth grade there.

As a young man, he realized that his future was not on the farm because his older brother was first in line to claim it. Ben hired out to work on neighboring farms when he wasn’t needed on the family farm so he could establish his own income. He moved to St. Paul in 1908 and started his career on the St. Paul Police Force early that year. Ben must have known that five officers had already died since the turn of the century but, nonetheless, serving on the force was a dream job for him.

Ben was initially stationed at Central Station in downtown St. Paul, but by 1912 he had moved to Rondo Station. He rented at least three places to live during this time – the frugal German-American was probably trying to find the best value for his money – although all three were within walking distance of the station. In 1911 Ben married Tina Rohe, a beautiful and bright young woman from Shakopee. In their earliest years together they lived in several places, both residences just a half mile from the Rondo station.

In the autumn of 1915 Ben, Tina, and their daughter, Florence, moved to Thomas Avenue in St. Paul’s Midway neighborhood. It was a good home and soon, in 1917, their son, Herbert, was born in that home. Around this time a fellow officer said, “Fischer, why did you move all the way out in the boonies?” Still, it was perfect for them. Ben now lived just under three miles from the Rondo station, but the University streetcar line was just a few blocks away. Ben knew the University Avenue line well.