What’s the tale behind Minnesota’s ‘UFO car’?
Submission Statement
A peculiar incident in 1979 near Warren left a deputy’s squad car mysteriously damaged.
Many believe that the cracked windshield and bent antennas of the amber-colored Ford LTD squad car—now permanently displayed in a museum in Warren, Minnesota—serve as evidence of extraterrestrial contact. The famed “UFO car” attracts visitors from across the nation, with some traveling over 1,000 miles to the Marshall County Historical Society museum in this small town near the North Dakota border.
“People come from all corners, and that’s the main attraction for them. They take a look at the car and then they’re on their way,” shared Kent Broten, the society’s president.
Although the more than 40-year-old incident involving Marshall County Deputy Sheriff Val Johnson’s vehicle wasn’t referenced in Elizondo’s book, Newsweek recognized it as one of the most credible UFO encounters in modern history back in 2019.
The story of Minnesota’s “UFO car” is both intriguing and shrouded in mystery, capturing the imagination of UFO enthusiasts and skeptics alike. On that fateful night in 1979, Deputy Sheriff Val Johnson was monitoring the roads near Warren when he reported a strange light in the sky. After investigating, his squad car experienced a sudden and inexplicable event that left its windshield cracked and antennas bent, fueling speculation about a possible extraterrestrial encounter.
What makes the incident particularly compelling is the credibility of the eyewitness—a law enforcement officer trained to assess situations rationally. Johnson’s encounter, along with the physical evidence left on his vehicle, has attracted attention over the years, including recognition from prominent publications like Newsweek. This historical mystery draws not only local residents but also tourists from across the country to the Marshall County Historical Society museum, where the “UFO car” remains a marquee attraction.
The ongoing fascination with the “UFO car” speaks to a broader curiosity about the unknown and the possibilities beyond our world. While some may regard it as just another story in the vast landscape of UFO lore, others see it as a compelling case that blurs the lines between the mundane and the extraordinary. Whether one believes in extraterrestrial life or not, the story of Deputy Johnson and his damaged squad car undoubtedly serves as a reminder of the mysteries that still linger in our skies.