Tragedy Strikes Burnsville as Two Officers and a Firefighter Lose Their Lives Responding to Domestic Incident
In a somber turn of events, the tight-knit community of Burnsville, Minnesota, finds itself in mourning as two police officers and a firefighter were tragically shot and killed while responding to a domestic incident. The fallen heroes were identified as 27-year-old officers Paul Elmstrand and Matthew Ruge, along with 40-year-old firefighter-paramedic Adam Finseth.
Burnsville Police Chief Tanya Schwartz expressed the community’s grief at a press conference, saying, “We’re hurting. Today three members of our team made the ultimate sacrifice for this community. They are heroes.”
The incident unfolded around 1:50 a.m. when authorities responded to a residence in Burnsville, where an armed individual was reportedly barricaded with family members. According to Drew Evans, superintendent of the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension, the suspect opened fire, resulting in the tragic deaths of Elmstrand and Ruge. Several officers returned fire, and the suspect, who possessed multiple firearms and a substantial amount of ammunition, also lost his life. Fortunately, seven children inside the home, ranging from 2 to 15 years old, were able to escape unharmed.
Sgt. Adam Medlicott, another officer involved in the response, sustained injuries and was hospitalized with non-life-threatening conditions, as confirmed by the city.
The loss of Elmstrand and Ruge marks the seventeenth and eighteenth law enforcement officers killed in the line of duty this year, with six of these deaths attributed to gunfire, according to the Officer Down Memorial Page.
Minnesota Governor Tim Walz acknowledged the sacrifices of first responders, stating, “We must never take for granted the bravery and sacrifices our first responders make each and every day.”
The fallen officers are remembered for their dedication and service:
Paul Elmstrand, 27
Joined the Burnsville police force in August 2017 and was promoted to officer two years later. Elmstrand was actively involved in various capacities within the Burnsville Police Department, including the mobile command staff, peer team, honor guard, and field training unit.
Matthew Ruge, 27
A member of the Burnsville Police Department since April 2020, Ruge served on the crisis negotiations team and held the role of physical evidence officer. Known for his compassion, he had a history of going above and beyond to help others in times of need.
Adam Finseth, 40
A Burnsville firefighter-paramedic since 2019, Finseth was assigned to a SWAT team that responded to the incident. Prior to his tenure in Burnsville, he served in Savage and Hastings, earning respect for his commitment to public safety.
The entire state of Minnesota extends its heartfelt condolences to the grieving families, emphasizing readiness to support them during this difficult time.