Five Minnesota law enforcement officers who died in the line of duty are being honored this week during National Police Week events in the nation’s capital.
The National Peace Officers’ Memorial Service is scheduled for Thursday, May 15, and the 37th Annual Candlelight Vigil took place Tuesday night. The events are organized by the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund and the Fraternal Order of Police to honor fallen officers whose names have been recently added to the national memorial in Washington, D.C.
Among those being memorialized this year are five Minnesota officers, including Burnsville Police Officers Matthew Ruge and Paul Elmstrand, Minneapolis Police Officer Jamal Mitchell, National Park Service Ranger Kevin Grossheim, and Red Lake Police Officer Jesse Branch. Pope County Deputy Josh Owen was added to the memorial last May.
Burnsville firefighter-paramedic Adam Finseth was memorialized in Maryland earlier this month during National Fallen Firefighters Memorial Weekend.
Alpha News featured the fallen heroes—Ruge, Elmstrand, Finseth, Owen, and Mitchell—in the documentary Minnesota v We the People.
The names of hundreds of fallen officers from across the country were read aloud during Tuesday night’s vigil on the National Mall.
The three Burnsville first responders were killed on Feb. 18, 2024, during a standoff in which a heavily armed suspect opened fire. Sgt. Adam Medlicott was also injured but survived. In an interview with Alpha News, Medlicott reflected on the incident, stating he was “never going to let the actions of one evil person dictate what I do with my life.”
“It didn’t just directly affect the people that were on scene. It directly affected everybody within the department, everybody within our neighboring departments, and really everybody in law enforcement across the state that all know that this could have been them,” Medlicott said.
The Minnesota Fraternal Order of Police raised money to send families and colleagues to the events this week.
“For every name on the memorial there is a story of heartbreak, but there is also a story of triumph and courage for the survivors,” Kevin Rofidal with the Minnesota Fraternal Order of Police told Alpha News.
The Minnesota Police and Peace Officers Association (MPPOA) encouraged participation in National Police Week events and local commemorations.
“We pay tribute to those who have made the ultimate sacrifice and reaffirm our support for officers who continue to serve with integrity and honor,” the MPPOA said in a statement. “National Police Week is a solemn reminder of the courage and commitment displayed by our law enforcement professionals.”
In Minnesota, some communities are hosting their own events to honor fallen officers and show support for those still serving. MPPOA says that it remains committed to advocating for law enforcement professionals statewide, ensuring they have the resources and support necessary to serve their communities effectively.
National Police Week, observed May 11–17, was established by a joint resolution of Congress in 1962. It serves as a time to recognize the courage, service, and sacrifice of law enforcement officers across the country.
Hayley Feland
Hayley Feland previously worked as a journalist with The Minnesota Sun, The Wisconsin Daily Star, and The College Fix. She is a Minnesota native with a passion for politics and journalism.
