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How to help families of slain Burnsville officers, firefighter
The city of Burnsville on Tuesday released information on a verified donation site coordinated by Law Enforcement Labor Services.
BURNSVILLE, Minn. — The city of Burnsville says there is now a verified fund to help the families of two police officers and a firefighter-paramedic who gave their lives trying to keep the community safe.
In a news release and social posts Tuesday morning, city officials announced that those wanting to make financial donations are now being steered to a site coordinated by Law Enforcement Labor Services (LELS), saying contributions will be “delivered directly to the families” of Paul Elmstrand, Matthew Ruge and Adam Finseth.
City leaders added that the outpouring of support and contributions already seen over the past two days from people across the Twin Cities and greater Minnesota wanting to help the loved ones of the three first responders is deeply appreciated.
On its website, the LELS details the benevolent fund, saying it “provides support and financial aid for the families of LELS members and the families of other Minnesota Public Safety Professionals, who are seriously injured or killed in the line of duty, regardless of their union membership.” The fund is managed by a board that reviews the circumstances of the first responder’s death and if approved, will transfer funds to eligible family members and survivors.
Those wanting to help can donate electronically on the website or by mailing contributions to:
LELS Benevolent Fund, Inc.
c/o: Law Enforcement Labor Services
2700 Freeway Boulevard, Suite 700
Brooklyn Center, MN 55430
Officers Elmstrand and Ruge and firefighter-paramedic Finseth were fatally shot early Sunday after responding to reports of a domestic situation inside a home on the 12600 block of 33rd Ave. S. Law enforcement officials say a man later identified as 38-year-old Shannon Gooden had barricaded himself inside the home with multiple firearms and a cache of ammunition. Despite efforts to negotiate a peaceful resolution, authorities say Gooden opened fire, killing Elmstrand and Ruge, and then Finseth as he attempted to provide aid to the wounded officers.
A fourth first responder, Burnsville Police Sgt. Adam Medlicott, was wounded in the incident but was treated and released from a local hospital.
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Police said the 7-year-old victim was skateboarding on Saturday night.
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The road closure is expected to last until about 11:30 p.m. tonight, according to MnDOT.
MINNETONKA, Minn. — Officials have closed the westbound lanes of US Highway 12 starting at I-494 in Minnetonka after a collision occurred on Saturday night.
According to the Minnesota Department of Transportation’s 511 Map, the road is closed and there was a “serious crash,” on the highway.
The road closure is expected to last until about 11:30 p.m. tonight, according to MnDOT.
This is a developing story and will be updated as more information becomes available.
“It’s amazing how well and good the people are helping out,” volunteer Connie Guinn said.
ELK PARK, N.C. — It’s still difficult for Mike Ellenburg to see the damage Helene left in Elk Park, North Carolina.
“Never in my lifetime, no I have not,” Ellenburg, Fire Chief at the Elk Park Volunteer Fire Department, said. “We had to bring in heavy equipment and open the road up.”
The storm left homes destroyed, trees toppled and cars flipped. It’s left roads near rivers and creeks nearby unrecognizable.
“Used to be a paved road, houses on both sides,” he said. “They’re gone.”
“You’ll see some vehicles down here that are sideways, and they’ll have spray paint on ’em,” Ellenburg continued. “Marking that that vehicle has been checked and that nobody was inside of it or around it.”
Ellenburg says he believes there are four areas around Elk Park in a similar state, damaged and difficult to get into. Despite that, help is still coming, both from the town and the rest of the state.
“We’re just trying to get it organized,” Connie Guinn, a volunteer said, standing in front of pallets of food and water. “Because we can’t find nothing, and neither can anybody else.”
Donations have continued to arrive at the Elk Park Volunteer Fire Department. Ellenburg says some have even come from around the country.
Other agencies, like the Dallas, North Carolina volunteer fire department, have also arrived to help where they can.
“It’s amazing how well and good the people are helping out,” Guinn said.
Ellenburg says it will take time to rebuild their community, but it’s made easier to get through with neighbors like theirs.
“I would only say that I don’t want to live anywhere else but here in Avery County, North Carolina,” he said.
