PEQUOT LAKES, Minn. — A public memorial and funeral service has been set for fallen Fargo police officer and Minnesota native Jake Wallin.
Wallin was fatally shot by a suspect during a traffic stop on Friday, July 14. He was just 23 years old. Two colleagues and a female civilian were also wounded in the encounter, while the alleged gunman was fatally shot by Wallin's field training officer.
Family, friends and those who want to lend support are invited to attend a public memorial service and funeral at 10:30 a.m. this Saturday, July 22 at Pequot Lakes High School. That service will be followed by a private graveside service at Greenwood Cemetery in Nisswa.
Fargo police will lead an escort for Jake Wallin from Fargo to Pequot Lakes High School that Saturday morning, leaving North Dakota at 5:30 a.m. with an estimated arrival time of 9 a.m. Due to public safety concerns with the travel route through numerous smaller communities in Minnesota, the law enforcement escort will be limited to only Fargo PD vehicles and commercial buses transporting Fargo Police personnel.
The procession will leave Fargo, and proceed along the following route:
- Eastbound on I-94 from 25th Street South to I-94 Exit 6 (Highway 336) in Minnesota.
- Northbound on Highway 336 to Highway 10.
- Eastbound on Highway 10 to Motley, Minnesota.
- Eastbound on Highway 210 to Baxter, Minnesota.
- Northbound on Highway 371 to Pequot Lakes, Minnesota.
Additional law enforcement agencies, first responders and members of the public are encouraged to line the route to show their support for Officer Wallin and his family.
Wallin's family and police colleagues will also host a celebration of life event to allow the Fargo community to pay their respects to Officer Wallin. It will take place at 1 p.m. Wednesday, July 26 at Scheel’s Arena, 5225 31st Avenue South in Fargo. More information on the event will be released in the coming days.
Wallin was born on Nov. 23, 1999, in South Carolina but was raised in St. Michael, Minnesota. He graduated from St. Michael High School, Alexandria Technical College's law enforcement program and attended American Military University. Jake joined the Minnesota National Guard and served deployments in both Afghanistan and Iraq before settling in Fargo as a member of the city's police department. He was completing field training when he was shot.
"Jake wanted to live a life of purpose, where what he did meant something at the end of the day. His short adult years were spent in service to others," reads his official obituary. "Not only to his country and his community, he was also dedicated to and loved dearly his friends, family, fiancée, and his dog, Thor. His smile brightened any room. His laughter was contagious. He enjoyed life and all it had to offer. A life that was cut short doing a job he loved."
Instead of flowers, memorials should be directed to the Soldier’s 6. The city of Fargo has also established the Leadership Care Fund, a registered nonprofit that will collect funds and give them directly to the families of Jake Wallin, Andrew Dotas and Tyler Hawes. None of the money will go to the police department or the city of Fargo.
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