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1,400-vehicle procession honors fallen Burnsville emergency responders

People braved the cold to line the streets as they paid their respect for Burnsville officers Paul Elmstrand, Matthew Ruge and firefighter-paramedic Adam Finseth.

BURNSVILLE, Minn. — 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.”

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