HomeMy WebLinkAbout2015 03-18 Bills honoring slain police officers move ahead STAR TRIBUNE �
z StarTribune
Bilis honoring slain police officers move
ahead
Article by:KIA FARHANG
Associated Press
March 18,2015-5:16 PM
ST.PAUL,Minn.—Minnesota is closer to memorializing iwo police officers killed on the job.
Bills to name roaee Wed esday.Patericktwa�s killed duri g antraff c s opPast summer and Bergero edied nearly five years ago
a House commit
while investigating a carjacking cz��.
Both killings set off massive manhunls for the suspects.Patrick's convicted killer is serving a life sentence in prison.The man
who shot Bergeron was later killed in a confrontation with another officer;another man who helped in Bergeron's killing was
sentenced to nearly 36 years in prison.
Rep.Joe Atkins said he met Patrick during a door-knocking campaign.
"You would never have met a more passionate person who loved his community more"the Inver Grove Heights Democrat
said.He represents Mendota Heights and authored the bill to rename the road Patrick lived on after him.
Rep.Leon Lillie's bill would memorialize Highway 36 in Maplewood in Bergeron's name.The North St.Paul Democrat said
the call for lhe bill came from community members who want to thank Bergeron for his 26 years of service.
NeaAy 240 Minnesota police otflcers have died in the line of duty,according to the Officer pown Memorial Page,a national
nonprofit.Not all of them were murdered.
Both bills passed committee on unanimous voice votes Wednesday.They're headed to the House floor.
m 2015 Star Tnbune