BURNSVILLE, Minn. — EDITOR'S NOTE: The service will be streamed live from Grace Church and will be broadcast on KARE 11, in addition to our 24/7 streaming app, KARE 11+.
A public memorial will be held Wednesday for two Burnsville police officers and a firefighter/paramedic who were killed last week in the line of duty.
"To say that it's been an extremely difficult week is an understatement," said Burnsville Police Chief Tanya Schwartz. "On February 18, our worlds were completely shattered. It was the darkest day in our police and fire departments' history, and it is still nearly impossible for us to comprehend."
The service will take place Wednesday, Feb. 28, beginning at 11 a.m. at Grace Church in Eden Prairie, followed by a procession from Eden Prairie through Burnsville.
The procession route is as follows:
- East on Pioneer Trail from Mitchell Road (from Grace Church)
- South on Highway 169 from Pioneer Trail
- East/North on Highway 13 from Highway 169 southbound
- East/North on Highway 13 to County Road 11
- South on County Road 11 to 122nd Street
- West on 122nd Street to Parkwood Drive (past Burnsville Fire Station #2)
- South on Parkwood Drive to Burnsville Parkway
- West on Burnsville Parkway to Nicollet Avenue
- South on Nicollet Avenue to Civic Center Parkway
- East on Civic Center Parkway to 134th Street East (past Burnsville Police Department)
- West on 134th Street East to Nicollet Avenue
- South on Nicollet Avenue to County Road 42 (past Prince of Peace Church)
- West on County Road 42 to Interstate 35W north ramp
- Interstate 35W north ramp (dispersal)
Minnesota Department of Public Safety Communications and Media Relations Director Howie Padilla said there will almost certainly be traffic delays in the area, with potential street closures and/or detours.
Padilla added that city officials expect thousands of emergency responders from across the country to attend.
"I can't overstate this: There are so many elements that make this an unprecedented event," Padilla said, "So much of this memorial service will be like something Minnesota has never seen."
As seating and parking at Grace Church will be limited, Padilla encouraged members of the public who would like to view the service to gather instead at Burnsville's Prince of Peace Lutheran Church.
He also invited to public to line the processional route to honor the fallen responders following the memorial service.
"Watching the livestream and joining us on procession routes are the best way to show our support and honor the fallen," he said.
Monday's remarks come as thousands of people across the country have already come out to show their support for officers Paul Elmstrand and Matthew Ruge, and firefighter/paramedic Adam Finseth, after they were killed while responding to a domestic situation in Burnsville.
"From the countless messages of condolences to the heartfelt gestures of kindness, your outpouring of support has been nothing less than overwhelming," Schwartz said.
In the days following their deaths, a search warrant affidavit was released, revealing Shannon Gooden, 38, of Burnsville had retreated to a bedroom, barricaded himself and didn't cooperate when officers attempted to negotiate with him to surrender.
Sometime later, the affidavit said, Gooden opened fire at officers with multiple guns. As they returned fire, police said Gooden retreated to a bedroom where he ultimately died by suicide.
Schwartz said a fourth injured officer, Sgt. Adam Medlicott, continues to recover.
Fire Chief BJ Jungmann also spoke at Monday’s press conference, reiterating that the outpouring of support from the community has been "overwhelming."
"In these moments following a tragedy, we find the true character of a community is revealed and Burnsville has shown itself to be a community bound by compassion, resilience and a shared commitment to supporting one another," he said.
Those who also wish to support the children who survived the deadly incident can donate to this GoFundMe.
For more information about Wednesday's service, you can visit burnsvillemn.gov.
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