Police gather for tribute to fallen colleagues
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In a somber ceremony held under the giant American flag hanging at the south end of the Hennepin County Government Center's skyway level, dozens of uniformed law enforcement officers paid tribute to their fallen colleagues.
The remembrance of officers who died on duty in Hennepin County is part of a week long, nationwide recognition of law enforcement. During the ceremony, Sgt. Jennifer Johnson of the Hennepin County Sheriff's Office read the names of each fallen officer, 68 in all since 1884. A bell tolled for each name.
Minneapolis police assistant chief Kris Arneson said she'll never forget Aug. 1, 2002. That's the day Minneapolis police officer Melissa Schmidt was shot and killed.
"Officer Schmidt volunteered to answer a call that day that she didn't have to answer," said Arneson.
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That night, Schmidt, a six-year veteran of the force and a former Marine, had escorted Martha Donald, 60, into a bathroom at Horn Towers. Donald pulled out a gun and fired at Schmidt, striking her in the abdomen just below her protective vest. Mortally wounded, Schmidt fired her gun and killed Donald. Schmidt died hours later.
Arneson was a lieutenant at the time of the shooting. She said she remembers telling a reporter how hard it was to handle the death of a colleague.
"And you know what? It still is very hard for us. Even 14 years later," said Arneson.
Gov. Mark Dayton was on hand to praise officers for the work they do. And he offered a special thanks to the fallen and their families.
"And to the families who have also paid the ultimate price and have to carry those losses forward throughout the rest of their lives, you are true Minnesota heroes and American heroes," said Dayton. "And we are eternally indebted to you."
The most recent officer in Hennepin County to die on duty was St. Louis Park Police officer Michael Pollitz, who died from a blood clot while in 2011.
According to the Officer Down Memorial website, 36 officers have been killed in the line of duty nationwide in 2016.