BURNSVILLE, Minn. — It is a day to think about the unthinkable - remembering that spouses, children, spouses and the greater community must move on without three young men who sacrificed their lives to keep them safe.
Thousands are gathering at Grace Church in Eden Prairie to mourn and honor fallen Burnsville police officers Paul Elmstrand and Matthew Ruge, and firefighter-paramedic Adam Finseth. The three first responders were all fatally shot while responding to a report of child abuse early the morning of Feb. 18. Elmstrand and Ruge, both 27, died trying to de-escalate the situation with an armed man, while the 40-year-old Finseth was killed while coming to the aid of the officers.
The days since have been filled with an outpouring of grief and appreciation for the service of the three men, and support for their loved ones left behind. The public memorial service and processional planned for Wednesday will give both those in their close inner circles and citizens who never met the three fallen responders a chance to say farewell.
If you'd like to help the Elmstrand, Ruge and Finseth families, a verified fund has been set up by Law Enforcement Labor Services to collect donations.
11:20 a.m. - The Service
The memorial service honoring officers Paul Elmstrand and Matthew Ruge, and firefighter-paramedic Adam Finseth officially began with a posting of the colors. Officers carrying flags walked up the aisles of an auditorium packed with 7,600 people.
Chaplain Mark Patrick welcomed those at Grace Church and Prince of Peace Lutheran Church with a prayer. He was followed by Sgt. Adam Medlicott, who was shot in the incident that claimed the lives of the three first responders.
Medlicott was the night shift supervisor for both Elmstrand and Ruge, and shared humorous stories of the two as rookies - Elmstrand so excited on an early theft call he called a vehicle running outside Macy's as "a go away car." "That's getaway car," Medlicott recalled telling the newbie.
WATCH: The full memorial service at Grace Church in Eden Prairie where thousands gathered to honor fallen Burnsville officers Paul Elmstrand and Matthew Ruge, and firefighter-paramedic Adam Finseth, who were killed in the line of duty.
Elmstrand then grew into a seasoned veteran, an officer who told Medlicott he was going to apply for sergeant. "Chief, I think Paul would have made an excellent sergeant," Medlicott told his boss from the stage.
Medlicott than shared a story about Ruge stumbling on a call to convince a person who needed help to leave a closet and go to treatment. He wasn't successful, but years later, things came full circle. The sergeant stood next to Officer Ruge looking for guidance as he coordinated the crisis negotiation scene the morning of Feb. 18, and was proud of how far he'd come.
"I was standing next to him on his last call. But now it was Matt doing all the talking, and me looking to him for answers, Medlicott shared. "I believed in him as a crisis negotiator, and I want everyone here to know, he was doing an amazing job of it. You can't reason with evil."
Medlicott told those gathered that he didn't know Finseth as well as the others, but what he saw that fateful night spoke volumes.
"I saw you run into the line of fire to save me and my guys. You are the bravest person I have ever known, and I will be forever thankful."
Burnsville police officer Peter Mueller was next up, to share memories of his friendship with Matt Ruge. Both started in April of 2020 and were sworn in together, but Ruge always told Mueller he was his "senior officer" as he got badge number 183, and Mueller received badge 184.
Mueller recalled his friend's sense of humor and burning desire to make a difference, earning his respect. He also explained that Ruge earned the nickname "Rouge-ie" for self-assigning calls outside of his assigned area.
"It was impossible not to love Ruge. He was smart, self-deprecating, quick-witted, (and) humble," Mueller noted.
The two frequently did as a team, as they did the morning of Feb. 18 while trying to defuse a crisis that was unfolding. Mueller said Ruge rushed to help his partner Paul Elmstrand and was fatally shot while doing so.
"Those touched by Matt and his passing must know... he was extraordinarily heroic that morning," Mueller said, his voice breaking. "It is unacceptable that Matt did not go home that morning. The loss his family and friends feel is unbearable."
Burnsville P.D. Deputy Chief Matt Smith recalled Paul Elmstrand's infectious laugh, love for "The Office" and in a bit of foreshadowing, his passion for honoring fallen officers. Smith said Paul was moved by his experience taking part in the service for fallen Wayzata police officer Bill Matthews back in 2017, while Elmstrand was serving as a Burnsville community service officer.
The assistant chief shared that Elmstrand recently applied for a spot on the Minnesota Law Enforcement Memorial Association (LEMA) honor guard and was notified a few weeks before his death that he was selected for the statewide team.
Smith related a story about Officer Elmstrand and his family - wife Cindy, daughter Maria and son Matteo - taking pictures at the state capitol after attending a peace officer memorial ceremony. That night, Paul texted him a picture of him holding his daughter, and shortly afterwards... a second.
"Alright, just one more. She's just too cute, huh?" Paul texted.
Smith reflected that on that day, he realized how much Elmstrand loved both his family and those who served in the law enforcement profession.
"Paul truly was one of the nicest guys. We're gonna miss him," Smith said.
Burnsville Fire Captain Brandon Johannsen worked side by side with firefighter and paramedic Adam Finseth for three-and-a-half years, nothing that Finseth made a huge impact on him in a short amount of time.
"Adam was one of the most selfless individuals I have ever had the privilege of knowing," Johannsen. "He possessed an innate ability to put others' well-being before his own, always ensuring everyone around him felt seen, heard and cared for," Johannsen explained. "His compassion knew no bounds, and his unwavering commitment to the happiness and comfort of those he cared for and loved was truly extraordinary. "
Johannsen said Finseth was a man with many sides: Curious, a teacher, and a jokester who lightened the mood but a man with depth to engage in deep conversations.
The captain addressed Finseth's son and daughter, telling them their papa was a hero, and assured his wife Tara they will never be alone.
"Please know that Adam's bravery, courage and sacrifice will never be forgotten," Johannsen assured. "As you can see behind you, you are surrounded by our family, which is also your family. A family that will be at your side for all that is to come, now and forever. You don't have to walk this journey alone."
Each family chose someone to read a verse of scripture. Matt's uncle Michael Ruge read from the book of Lamentations, a passage that included the declaration "I have forgotten what happiness is."
"I'm sure this is how we're all feeling here today," Ruge told those gathered. "It's really hard, and we're trying to wrap our heads around what happened, and it makes no sense... It's confusing, it's really, really hard."
"We all lost someone here," he continued. "A brother, a husband, a son, a father, a nephew, a grandson... and it hurts."
The procession
Thousands of first responders took part in the procession from Eden Prairie to Burnsville, while surrounding community members lined the route to pay their respects to fallen heroes Matthew Ruge, Paul Elmstrand, and Adam Finseth.
“As a parent myself, knowing that these three sacrificed themselves ultimately to protect those seven kids? That really pulls on my heartstrings,” said Jason Jenson, who took his two kids to watch the procession.
He was among hundreds in Burnsville who braved the cold and wind. Standing for hours, waiting for the procession, and waving as they go by.
“We rely on them to protect,” he said.
His children, along with others, didn’t know much about what happened. But they did know heroes died protecting their community. And that those fallen first responders had brothers and sisters by their side.
Scribbled on a piece of mail, Annie Yang wrote the message ‘we support officers.’
She stood in the cold with her little sister, bowing and saluting as the procession passed her.
“I say, God, God, please make them have a happy life,” she said.
Her little sister, Hannah, says she still feels safe because she knows those first responders are in heaven.
“I think they’re watching us,” she said. “Watching us on earth.”
Diana is thinking about the officers’ families.
“We want them to know they’re loved,” she said. “We’re holding them up in prayer.”
10:40 a.m.
Grace Church officials told reporters that the complex has reached its capacity of 7,600 hundred so those who want to show support for the fallen first responders can choose another option. Prince of Peace Lutheran Church in Burnsville - with a capacity of 1,800 - is carrying a live stream of the service and as of 10:45 a.m. still had room.
KARE 11's Chris Hrapsky shared that this service is the highest-attended in the state of Minnesota.
10:00 a.m.
Service organizers released the program for the service honoring the three first responders, listing scripture readers, those giving eulogies and other speakers. One will be Burnsville police officer Adam Medlicott, who was with Elmstrand, Ruge and Finseth when the suspect opened fire. Medlicott was struck and wounded by gunfire on that fateful morning but survived.
The church service will be followed by a flag folding ceremony, the retiring of colors, a rifle volley and military flyover.
8:30 a.m.
A seemingly endless stream of police squad cars and emergency vehicles are making their way down Mitchell Road en route to Grace Church, a large facility in Eden Prairie with a seating capacity of 4,500. Figuring in overflow seating in Eden Prairie and a viewing space at Prince of Peace Lutheran Church in Burnsville, organizers say they have space for 10,000 people to see the memorial and pay their respects.
Mounted patrol officers rode in on horseback, gathering on one side of the parking lot in a show of support for their fallen brothers. Minneapolis Police Chief Brian O'Hara arrived with an estimated 250 of his officers, leading them into the church.
Shortly after 9 a.m., a line of squad cars, fire rigs, ambulances and SWAT vehicles from Burnsville drove down Mitchell Road and into the Grace Church parking lot, while hundreds of officers and first responders from across the state of Minnesota filed into the church in advance of the 11 a.m. service.
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