2024 marks most shooting deaths of law enforcement in Minnesota in 42 years

When a member of law enforcement dies, within 36 hours surviving family members meet with Brian Hubbard. He is the deputy chief with Crystal Police, and he serves as the president of the Minnesota Law Enforcement Memorial Association (LEMA).

The organization plans memorials and funerals for law enforcement across the state, making sure they are honored appropriately. This year Hubbard provided support for five members of law enforcement.

“Every time I go in there, I say a prayer before I walk in,” Hubbard told Minnesota Now host Nina Moini when speaking about meeting with families of officers who have died on Tuesday. “And as I’m sitting there, I am thinking, man, I don’t want my wife to have to be having this conversation. And then I quickly follow that up by thinking, yeah, but I'm sure glad and honored that somebody is having this conversation.”

Three of this year’s deaths were under particularly violent circumstances. Burnsville officers Matthew Ruge and Paul Elmstrand and Minneapolis police officer Jamal Mitchell were shot and killed in the line of duty.

Additionally, National Park Service Ranger Kevin Grossheim, 55, drowned in October after trying to rescue a family stranded on an island in Voyageurs National Park. And Red Lake Nation Tribal officer Jesse Branch, 35, was killed in November in a traffic accident while responding to a call.

While 2021 was a deadlier year for law enforcement due to COVID-19, when looking at shooting deaths specifically, this year was the most in the state in 42 years, according to a database kept by LEMA.

“It was a tragic year,” Hubbard said. “When these tragedies happen, I think it brings front of mind to all of us the risks that are inherent in this job.”

The only year in recent history with more law enforcement shooting deaths is 1972, when four men were shot and killed in the line of duty.

Elmstrand and Ruge, both age 27, and 40-year-old firefighter-paramedic Adam Finseth were killed on Feb. 18 while responding to a call for help about a man armed and barricaded in a home with seven children inside.

The suspect, Shannon Gooden, took his own life in the shooting. His girlfriend, Ashley Dyrdahl, is facing federal charges for buying guns that her boyfriend used to kill the three first responders.

Court documents show that in 2017, Dyrdahl had accused Gooden of domestic violence and requested a protection order.

More than 10,000 people came from across Minnesota and the country to honor the three men at a public memorial.

Sgt. Adam Medlicott, a Burnsville officer wounded in the incident, gave a moving tribute to the two officers. He watched the two officers grow over the years from rookies to professionals. He’d supervised both during night shifts and they’d come a long way.

“I was fortunate enough to watch both of these officers go full circle, from two wide-eyed excited new cops, to an officer who knew the job so well he was ready to promote, to another who had just taken over a scene for multiple hours as a crisis negotiator,” Medlicott shared in a eulogy.

Less than four months after the Burnsville tragedy, Hubbard was called again. Minneapolis police officer Jamal Mitchell, 36, was fatally shot while responding to a shooting on May 30. Mitchell was the first MPD officer shot and killed in the line of duty in more than 20 years.

A familiar scene played out for the law enforcement community in Minnesota. Thousands gathering once again to honor a fellow officer.

Minneapolis police Chief Brian O’Hara remembered Mitchell as dedicated to his job and community.

“Jamal was courageous to his very core. He was empathetic and deeply committed to the cause and mission of police officers around our country. He was heroic as a man until the very end.”

For much of the public, the deaths of Mitchell, Ruge and Elmstrand fell out of view.

The City of Burnsville shared with MPR News that it is planning for a recognition day as it comes up on one year since the incident.  

In May, O’Hara and 14 officers will be taking part in a 300-mile bike ride known as the Police Unity Tour in honor of Mitchell. 

But in between the memorials and tributes are grieving family, friends and co-workers.

“There’s a void that’s left after that’s all gone,” Jim Giese, a retired police officer and the president of the Minnesota chapter of Concerns of Police Survivors (COPS), said on Minnesota Now. COPS provides a number of resources to survivors, including family retreats, a camp just for child survivors and mental health resources.

“It’s very difficult for families to go through this alone. We want to make sure that they are not alone, whether it’s at the time of the funeral or years to come,” he said.

Hubbard said in his department, he encourages officers to have hard conversations when these incidents happen. He says he is especially concerned for the mental health of officers. One study cited by the CDC found first responders are more likely to die by suicide.

“They need to take care of themselves, not just physically, but emotionally, relationally, spiritually,” said Hubbard.

Giese said it’s never too late to provide support to surviving family members or a department.

“Whether you’re a neighbor, you’re a friend, you could always reach out.”

If you or someone you know is struggling, you are not alone. Call or text 988 to get connected with trained counselors who can help. The 988 suicide and crisis lifeline is available 24/7.

Use the audio player above to listen to the full conversation on Minnesota Now.