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Episode 1
It all happened on a chilly Saturday in North Dakota—February 20, 1999, to be exact. But, despite the cold, the city was bustling with excitement as the North Dakota High School State Wrestling Championships were taking place over at the Bismarck Civic Center.
Athletes, families, and fans had poured into town from every corner of the state. They came from Dickinson, Williston, and Beach in the west; from Valley City, West Fargo, and South Fargo in the east. They traveled from small towns like Ashley and Watford City, from Harvey and Bowman, Wahpeton and Minot—arriving by car and bus, eager to cheer on their hometown heroes.
Video courtesy of State Archives of North Dakota
The Lonesome Dove (Mandan, ND)
Some folks were doing the two-step over in Mandan at the Lonesome Dove.
Google Maps
Google Maps
Lonesome Dove video / YouTube
Kroll’s Diner (Mandan, ND)
Or chomping on a burger at Krolls – also on “The Strip.”
Images from Google Maps
Sidelines Sports Bar (Bismarck, ND)
Or tossing back drinks at Sidelines
Images from Google Maps
Officer Mike Roberdeau was the first on scene
In downtown Bismarck, a city Police officer was patrolling near Custer park when he heard the call come through. His name was Mike Roberdeau . Call for immediate service at House of Bottles North The cop grabbed his mic, let dispatch know he’d be responding and whipped his cruiser northward. He was three miles away.
Photo courtesy Bismarck Police Department
When Mike Roberdeau maneuvered his cruiser into the parking lot at the corner of East Century and North 19th he immediately saw Travis and Anne holding the door open and waving him in. He slid to a stop, hopped out and scooted up the steps. Travis Bitz pointed to the office in the back. ‘He’s in there!’
Roberdeau moved immediately to the office and took a look.
One thing was immediately obvious to him. The young man sitting in the office chair was no longer alive.