A man from Burnsville brought his young granddaughter.
A police officer who’s also a paramedic drove nearly an hour from the town he helps protect.
And a man dressed in blue emergency responder clothes pressed his head against the window of a paramedic truck, his body heaving as he softly sobbed before leaving without saying a word.
They all came to the Burnsville city hall and police complex to honor the three who died on duty early Sunday morning.
The American flag, and the flags of Minnesota and Burnsville were at half-staff between the two front doors, at the base of the flagpoles a bright red emergency vehicle and a black-and-white police car.
A second police squad was parked about 20 yards away.
All three were adorned with flowers, balloons, flags, and notes for officers Paul Elmstrand and Matthew Ruge, and firefighter/paramedic Adam Finseth.
Authorities say 38-year-old Shannon Cortez Gooden shot and killed the first responders before shooting himself.
The Hennepin County Medical Examiner on Tuesday confirmed Gooden's suicide.
“We wanted to show our sincere appreciation for the responders, not only the ones who died yesterday but all of them that serve us every day,” said Ron Janklin, who brought along his granddaughter Vivian from Richfield.
“I think that people who serve us and help us are nice,” Vivian said. “And I just wanted to say thank you.”
Uniformed officers from the metro area were also driving up to pay their respects.
James Lunt, a police officer from Austin, made the trip while he was off-duty.
“It’s hurtful,” said Lunt, his voice cracking.
And his resolve to ensure the public’s safety remaining steady.
“We still have a job to do, and, we’ll be on the streets, just like every other day.”
The people of Burnsville are still reeling.
“I grew up here,” said Abbey Williams. “I went to elementary school in Gideon Pond, it was always kind of a quiet area, I grew up right by Cub that’s back on Burnsville Parkway. It’s just wild.”
And now there are memories that’ll bring sorrow.
Abbey’s father Dell placed flowers on one of the vehicles.
“Just how sad it is,” he said, recalling the feelings as he paid his respects. “This community is very sad.”