JORDAN, Minn. — Hundreds gathered in Jordan Tuesday to honor and remember two fallen Burnsville police officers.
Officers Paul Elmstrand and Matthew Ruge were killed while responding to a domestic abuse call early Sunday morning.
Their procession, which began in Minnetonka and ended at a funeral home in Jordan, featured dozens of law enforcement vehicles as they traveled down Highway 169. For those in attendance, it was a somber sight, but one they say they had to be there for.
"My brother-in-law is a Burnsville police officer," one woman said.
"It's a sad state of affairs, and look around," John Oetjen said. "Look how many people are here."
Among those stopping to honor those officers was Ruth Laursen. She handed out St. Michael's medals, a gift to offer protection for officers in the line of duty.
"They're willing to, you know, possibly not be able to go home and give up their lives to protect their communities and the people that live there," she said. "How fast things happen, I mean, less than seconds and you have to make a choice."
They serve as a somber reminder of the lives lost, and how quickly life can change.
"Brave people who get up every morning and go to work," Oetjen said, holding back tears. "And sometimes just don't come back."
Information on a funeral service has not yet been released.
PHOTOS: Procession for Burnsville officers Paul Elmstrand and Matthew Ruge
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