Nearly 8,000 people packed an Eden Prairie church for a somber, moving, at times even funny memorial service that remembered and honored three Burnsville first responders killed last week responding to a domestic call.
The three first responders from Burnsville are being remembered as heroes by their families, friends and admired colleagues.
Matthew Ruge and Paul Elmstrand of the Burnsville Police Department, and firefighter/paramedic Adam Finseth died in the line of duty February 18.
Burnsville Police Sergeant Adam Medlicott was injured in that same shootout. He supervised and trained officers Ruge and Elmstrand and spoke early in the Memorial Service and recalled a humorous training with Elmstrand at a robbery call.
"As we pulled up to the store, we saw a vehicle unoccupied and idling in front of the main entrance," remembers Medlicott. "Excitedly, Paul yells, 'look, it's the go away vehicle'. I kind of just looked at him in disbelief for a moment before saying it's getaway car."
Burnsville Office Pete Mueller explained that the fallen officers had one last thing to teach their colleagues.
"For example, I find myself saying 'I love you' a lot this week and a half," says Mueller. "And I'm hearing 'I love you' a lot too. And we're greeting each other with hugs. I've noticed the outpouring of support for police officers, and first responders, and our families, in ways I've never seen before."
"Elmstrand, Ruge, Finseth, we were there for seven children. Nothing could be honorable. Rest easy brothers," says Medlicott referencing the domestic call where they were killed.
“You can’t reason with evil,” he said.
BJ Jungmann, the chief of the Burnsville Fire Department, spoke about the respect the department had for Finseth.
"These examples don't speak of a man seeking glory. These are examples of an honorable man serving honorably," says Jungmann.
A tradition with the fire service is the ringing of a bell, something that starts their day and their careers within the fire department. But Wednesday it was the toll of a bell that sounded the passing of a hero.
"To Paul, Matthew and Adam, who have selflessly given their lives for the good of their fellow man, their tasks completed, their duties well done, we will again sound their last alarm. They have gone home."
Medlicott went on to say that he didn’t know Finseth as well. “But I saw you run into the line of fire to save me and my guys. You’re the bravest person I’ve ever known. I will be forever grateful.”
Brad Finseth, the firefighter’s father, paid tribute to the three with a reading from the Gospel of John: “No one has greater love than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.”
"For those who struggle, and there will be struggle, we will get through this together," said Burnsville Police Chief Tonya Schwartz. "We will take care of each other. Be strong. Be courageous. And remember, our communities need us."
The service ended with a traditional bagpipe rendition of "Amazing Grace" while the flags draping the coffins were folded. That was followed by a "last call", the retiring of colors and finally an honor outdoors with the playing of taps, a rifle volley and flyover.
"These men served together, laid down their lives together, and the City of Burnsville will never forget them."
The service was held at the nondenominational Grace Church in suburban Eden Prairie, one of the largest churches in the Minneapolis area. Because of the overflow crowd, officials had encouraged the public to watch the livestream from home or at Prince of Peace Lutheran Church in Burnsville. The livestream was viewable on the Grace Church website and its YouTube channel.
A procession of public safety vehicles will head from the Eden Prairie church after the service to Burnsville, where it will pass a fire station, police headquarters and the Burnsville church. Officials encouraged people to line the route to pay their respects.
You can learn more about the procession here.