Mourners continue to pay theirs respects to three Burnsville first responders who were murdered in the line of duty, leaving flowers, notes, and other tokens of their gratitude on top of an ambulance and squad car parked outside of city hall.
Officers Paul Elmstrand and Matthew Ruge, both 27, and 40-year-old fire medic Adam Finseth were shot and killed Sunday while responding to a child abuse call.
A constant stream of supporters was observed Friday morning visiting the memorial at city hall, where three crosses sit below a flag pole in remembrance of Elmstrand, Ruge, and Finseth.
Chaplains affiliated with the Billy Graham Evangelist Association have been at the memorial every day to provide emotional and spiritual support to those who need it.
Police cars from Inver Grove Heights, West St. Paul, Eagan and other cities were parked outside the police station as jurisdictions from around Dakota County provide support to the grieving Burnsville Police Department, whose headquarters is lit with blue and red lights.
A joint public memorial service for the fallen first responders is scheduled for Feb. 28 at 11 a.m. at Grace Church in Eden Prairie. A fundraiser has also been started to support the families.
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.
