Minnesota’s law enforcement community is preparing to gather for a Sept. 13 fundraiser in Plymouth to honor the late Police Chief Mike Goldstein, raising money for a new K9 unit and fire rescue gear while officers across the state reel from a string of sudden off-duty deaths.
Goldstein remembered for lasting legacy
Goldstein, 58, died unexpectedly in May while vacationing in Italy with his wife. The Plymouth Police Department said Goldstein devoted more than three decades to the city, rising from police explorer to chief in 2004 and public safety director in 2015. He retired in 2021.
“We are heartbroken with the news of Mike’s passing,” current Chief Erik Fadden said in a Facebook post. “Mike leaves behind a lasting and unmatched legacy. He inspired everyone who met him – a true servant leader whose contributions to public safety will be felt for years to come.”
His death is one of several recent tragedies in Minnesota’s law enforcement community.
Forest Lake detective dies off duty
On Aug. 11, Forest Lake Detective Josh Brown, 41, died unexpectedly while off duty, according to his department.
“It is with heavy hearts that the Forest Lake Police Department must share the loss of Detective Josh Brown … Detective Brown will be greatly missed by his family, friends, and the whole law enforcement community,” the agency said. Brown joined the department in 2017 and previously served in the Minnesota National Guard.
Goldstein’s and Brown’s deaths were medical related.
State trooper killed in off-duty accident
The Minnesota State Patrol announced July 1 that Trooper Mollie McClure died in an off-duty accident on Waubay Lake in South Dakota.
“Trooper McClure was a dedicated and valued member of the State Patrol family. Since joining the agency in October 2021, she served in the St. Cloud district, quickly earning a reputation as a respected trooper, mentor, and friend. Her professionalism, compassion, and commitment to service left a lasting impact on her colleagues and the community,” the State Patrol said in a statement.
Le Sueur officer mourned by community
In Le Sueur, Officer Karl Haugen, 41, also passed away unexpectedly last month. He had served the Le Sueur–Henderson community since 2008 in both part-time and full-time roles, including a stint as Henderson’s police chief.
Officer Haugen “was an important part of the department’s dynamics and will be sincerely missed,” the department wrote in a Facebook post.
Haugen’s brother, Mikkel, told CBS News that mental health struggles contributed to his death.
“Mental health is just so all-encompassing that yes, his role as a first responder absolutely played into my brother losing his life,” he said. “It’s deep and bigger than just his job, but you can’t ignore the stresses that were put on him.”
Police advocacy group calls for stronger support
Chris Steward, a retired Minneapolis police sergeant and founder of the nonprofit Heroes Helping Heroes, said Minnesota has also “lost a deputy, a firefighter, and two paramedics to suicide in recent months.”
“These losses reverberate through entire departments, families, and communities. For officers, it is devastating to lose a partner, a friend, and a fellow warrior—especially when the battle they lost was internal.”
Steward criticized state-level policies that he said have “made it harder for first responders to get the psychological and financial support they need after being injured in the line of duty.” He pointed to measures affecting health insurance and retirement benefits as examples of how the system is failing those who serve.
“That’s why I founded Heroes Helping Heroes in 2021,” Steward said. “Our nonprofit was created to provide peer support, healing, and connection for injured and retired first responders battling the invisible wounds of their service. Today, we serve over 1,350 members and are proud to be Minnesota’s largest nonprofit solely focused on this mission.”
Steward urged stronger leadership within departments, policy reform, community backing for peer support groups, and broader public awareness. “Our first responders give everything to protect our communities,” he said. “It’s time we stand up for them with the same courage and commitment they show every day.”
Alpha News released the documentary “Minnesota v. We the People” in 2024, focusing on the risks facing law enforcement and first responders in Minnesota. The film highlights a 13-month period in which five first responders were killed in the line of duty.
Jenna Gloeb
Jenna Gloeb is an Edward R. Murrow Award-winning journalist, media producer, public speaker, and screenwriter. Most recently, she worked as a reporter and on-air host for CCX Media. Jenna is a Minnesota native and resides in the Twin Cities with her husband, son, daughter, and two dogs.
