Palle Sørensen

Palle Sørensen
Palle Sørensen
Born	Palle Mogens Fogde Sørensen; March 26, 1927 (age 97)
Nationality	Denmark
Occupation	Burglar
Known for	Murdering four policemen
Criminal status	On parole
Motive	Escaping arrest
Conviction(s)	Guilty
Criminal charge	Murder
Penalty	Life
Partner(s)	Norman Lee Bune
Time at large	Two days
Details
Victims	4; Elmer Gert Jeppesen, 24; Aksel Dybdahl Andersen, 28; Gert Søndergaard Harkjær, 24; Henning Skov Hansen, 24
Date	September 17, 1965
Country	Denmark
Weapons	Browning P35
Date apprehended	September 20, 1965

Palle Mogens Fogde Sørensen (born March 26, 1927) is a former small-time criminal who shot and killed four police officers on his way home after a break-in.

Early life

In 1949, fresh out of juvenile detention, Sørensen went to the Dansk Arbejdsmandforbund, where he blew a safe and robbed 130,000 kr, which he spent.^[1]

He then committed several burglaries and insurance fraud, which landed him in prison

He was described in a 1958 article, where were described his skills with cracking safes.^[1]

He attempted to lead an honest life by making aerials for the army but, in 1964, met Norman Lee Bune, a former cellmate, and proceeded to commit several break-ins.

Shootings

On September 17, 1965, Sørensen and Bune were caught robbing an underkaher's house, and police was then called; during the chase, Sørensen took his Browning P35 and shot four policemen.

After a huge search operation he turned himself in two days later, commenting "[he] made the mistake of [his] life.^[2]"

Sentence

He was sentenced to life imprisonment on August 24, 1966.^[3]

Despite being a peaceful prisoner, Copenhagen-born Sørensen was considered the most dangerous convict in Denmark for many years,^[3] and police unions pressured the authorities with not giving him parole nor pardon.

He was granted parole after 32 years and eight months in prison – the longest time anyone has served in a Danish prison in modern history.^[3]

Legacy

Palle Sørensen's crime eventually led to Danish police arming themselves with guns;^[4] the shot officers were given State funerals.^[1]

The slogan of "4–0" has become a provocative outcry of anti-police demonstrators.

References

^ ^a ^b ^c Streader, Peter (February 2013). "Palle Sørensen – Half a lifetime in Prison". The Copenhagen Post. Retrieved September 26, 2015 – via Google+.
^ Anthony, Noel (December 8, 1965). "Continental Diary". The Milwaukee Journal. Retrieved September 26, 2015 – via Google.
^ ^a ^b ^c Pedersen, Niels (November 19, 2007). "Mordene der rystede Danmark" (in Danish). BT. Retrieved November 1, 2010. {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
^ "Politiet får tjenestepistol" (in Danish). TV 2. Retrieved November 1, 2010. {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)

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[:0-1] Streader, Peter (February 2013). "Palle Sørensen – Half a lifetime in Prison". The Copenhagen Post. Retrieved September 26, 2015 – via Google+.

[2] Anthony, Noel (December 8, 1965). "Continental Diary". The Milwaukee Journal. Retrieved September 26, 2015 – via Google.

[bt07-3] Pedersen, Niels (November 19, 2007). "Mordene der rystede Danmark" (in Danish). BT. Retrieved November 1, 2010. {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)

[tv210-4] "Politiet får tjenestepistol" (in Danish). TV 2. Retrieved November 1, 2010. {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)

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