Burnsville marks one year since first responders‘ deaths with wreath tribute, special ceremony
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Tuesday marks one year since Burnsville lost three first responders in the line of duty, and the city will pay tribute to them in several ways. Police officers Paul Elmstrand and Matthew Ruge as well as firefighter-paramedic Adam Finseth were killed while responding to a domestic violence call Feb. 18, 2024.
During a ceremony at City Hall, Burnsville city leaders praised their fallen colleagues as heroes while also describing the emotional toll the events of last year have taken on them all.
“The reality is, I’m still at a loss to try to comprehend this unthinkable tragedy,” said Burnsville Fire Chief B.J. Jungmann. “The truth is I may not ever fully understand it. I do know this for certain, though we will continue to work to heal together and support each other.”
Three wreaths, one for each man, were displayed nearby as city officials paid their respects.
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Police chief Tanya Schwartz said today is an emotional day.
“We miss our fallen partners, Matt Paul and Adam. We miss them a lot,” said Schwartz. “The one year anniversary of their ultimate sacrifice brings us back to the shock of that morning and the days following, and while we navigate a range of emotions today and every day, we find peace and honoring our fallen their families and all of our teams who displayed extraordinary courage the morning of Feb. 18, 2024.”
Jungmann told MPR News’ Minnesota Now that Burnsville has embedded mental health professionals in both the fire and police departments.
“That’s been very helpful to have, people that have a resource that can help them through the stages of grief, and everybody traverses this a little bit differently,” he said. “So having that trained professional, as well as having peer supporters and and teams together to support each other, has been super helpful."
“I think that’s what's been so important,” Burnsville Police Deputy chief Matt Smith said on Minnesota Now of the mental health resources. “I’m really proud of the resilience that all our people here in both the police and the fire department have shown to come back. Everybody that was was working that day is back working, and everybody is taking care of each other, and we’re trying to look out for each other's mental health and wellness.”
Elmstrand, Ruge, and Finseth died in a shootout with Shannon Gooden, after they were called to his home to respond to a 911 call alleging sexual assault. Seven children, ages 2 to 15, were in the house. So was Gooden’s girlfriend, Ashley Dyrdahl, who later pleaded guilty to illegally buying the firearms Gooden used.
The children and Dyrdahl were not physically harmed in the shootout. A fourth officer was hurt but recovered. Gooden died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound.
In addition to Tuesday’s events, the Minnesota Fraternal Order of Police Foundation is raising funds to send Burnsville first responders to this year’s Fallen Firefighter Memorial and National Peace Officers Memorial. Red Lake police officer Jesse Branch, park ranger Kevin Grossheim and Minneapolis police officer Jamal Mitchell will also be honored at that memorial.