Latest news with #PublicSafetyMemorialDay
CBS News
14-02-2025
- CBS News
Burnsville to honor slain first responders with Public Safety Memorial Day
BURNSVILLE, Minn. — The city of Burnsville will honor three fallen first responders on Tuesday, which will mark one year since they were killed by a gunman during a standoff. Investigators say Shannon Gooden shot police officers Matthew Ruge and Paul Elmstrand and firefighter-paramedic Adam Finseth on Feb. 18, 2024. To mark the year since their deaths, Burnsville Mayor Elizabeth Kautz made Feb. 18 Public Safety Memorial Day. Three wreaths will go up at Burnsville City Hall for 24 hours, all city buildings will be lit in blue and red and the city's flag will fly at half-mast for the day. The City Council and other leaders will make a public statement at City Hall at 2 p.m. as well. A reported sexual assault brought Ruge, Elmstrand, Finseth and other first responders to Gooden's residence last February. During an hourslong standoff, Gooden fired more than 100 rounds at authorities, according to investigators. In addition to the three responders killed, he struck Sgt. Adam Medlicott, who survived his wounds. Gooden then fatally shot himself, according to the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension. Gooden was barred from owning weapons due to a 2008 assault conviction in Dakota County. In January, his on-again, off-again girlfriend Ashley Dyrdahl pleaded guilty to illegally buying weapons for him. Note: The video above originally aired Jan. 14, 2025. In addition, help is available from the National Alliance on Mental Illness, or NAMI. Call the NAMI Helpline at 800-950-6264 or text "HelpLine" to 62640. There are more than 600 local NAMI organizations and affiliates across the country, many of which offer free support and education programs.
Yahoo
05-02-2025
- Yahoo
Burnsville first responder shootings: Public invited to pay respects on 1-year anniversary
Burnsville officials are inviting the community to show their respects to three fallen first responders on the one-year anniversary of when they were shot in an ambush. Three wreathes will be placed at Burnsville City Hall on Feb. 18, the day that Police Officer Paul Elmstrand, Police Officer Mathew Ruge and Firefighter/Paramedic Adam Finseth were killed last year. Community members can come out to support the police and fire departments, the city announced Wednesday. City leadership and the City Council will provide public comments at 2 p.m. 'Our community continues to heal from the loss of Paul, Matt and Adam,' Police Chief Tanya Schwartz said in a Wednesday statement. 'By recognizing their ultimate sacrifice and honoring their memories, we hope to build upon the healing process. Burnsville will not forget these brave men, their courage, selflessness and dedication to our community.' The City Council on Tuesday proclaimed Feb. 18 as Public Safety Memorial Day in Burnsville. The proclamation says that date 'will forever live on in Burnsville as a day of remembrance of our fallen heroes and their families.' Burnsville will light city buildings in blue and red the evenings of Feb. 17 and 18. Fundraising is underway for members of the Burnsville police and fire departments, and the families and loved ones of Finseth, Ruge and Elmstrand to travel to national memorial services this spring. The officers' names will be added to the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial in Washington, D.C., and Finseth's name will be added to the National Fallen Firefighters Memorial in Maryland, both in May. The Minnesota Fraternal Order of Police Foundation is organizing a fundraiser at GoFundMe ( to help cover costs. 'Attending memorial services is critical for the healing process of everyone touched by this tragedy,' said Kevin Rofidal of the MN FOP Foundation. 'Getting a sense of shared support and closure is an essential part of the process.' Last Feb. 18, Burnsville officers responded about 1:50 a.m. to an in-progress domestic disturbance at a house on 33rd Avenue off Burnsville Parkway. Ashley Dyrdahl rented the home and her boyfriend, Shannon Gooden, lived there, along with their children. Crime & Public Safety | Stillwater woman's parachute 'fully' deployed before fatal incident, company officials say Crime & Public Safety | Stillwater woman dies in skydiving accident in Arizona Crime & Public Safety | Burnsville ambulances will be the first in the state to carry blood for on-scene transfusions Crime & Public Safety | Charges: Burnsville man killed his girlfriend's dog with a knife and bow and arrow Crime & Public Safety | Burnsville woman pleads guilty to buying the guns her boyfriend used to kill two officers and a firefighter A memo from the Dakota County Attorney's Office said Gooden was suspected of sexually abusing a child, that Dyrdahl told police he had weapons, that Gooden assured officers he was unarmed, and that police called in many resources and were negotiating with him before Gooden ambushed them. There were seven children in the house with Gooden at the time of the shootings. Gooden shot more than 100 rifle rounds at law enforcement and first responders, the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension has said. Gooden died by suicide and Dyrdahl was federally charged with straw purchasing firearms for Gooden, who wasn't allowed to possess them because of a past felony conviction. Dyrdahl has pleaded guilty and is awaiting sentencing.
