HomeMy WebLinkAbout2014 07-31 At Vigil and in words, slain Mendota Heights officer is mourned PIONEER PRESS At vigil and in words, slain Mendota Heights officer is mourned - TwinCities.com Page 1 of 3
At vigil and in words, slain Mendota Heights officer is
mourned
Updated:07/31/2014 01:22:54 AM CDT JUL 3 1 2014 TwinCities.com
• Jul 31:
• Suspect in Mendota Heights cop killing arrested after
shootout in St. Paul's North End
• Jul 30:
• Ruben Rosario: 'Officer Down' chronicles the toll on police
Hundreds of people paid their respects at a Wednesday
evening candlelight vigil at the scene of the shooting that cut
down a Mendota Heights police officer just hours earlier.
Many placed flowers and other mementoes at a curbside
Mendota Heights Police officer Scott memorial at Dodd Road and Smith Avenue in West St. Paul,
Patrick(Courtesy photo) where officer Scott Patrick was fatally shot just before 12:30
p.m. during a traffic stop.
Tammy LaBathe-Olson said she would see Patrick at the nearby Holiday convenience store
on Dodd Road while he was on break. She said he would give her advice to pass on to her
22-year-old son, who is considering a career in law enforcement.
"He said it's not about the money," said LaBathe-Olson of West St. Paul. "It's about
protecting and serving."
Indeed, Patrick was described by colleagues as a "dedicated police officer," one who never
hesitated to help out his fellow officers.
With 19 years of service, the 47-year-old was the department's most senior officer. The
husband and father of two teenage daughters spent much of his tenure on the force as a
patrol officer.
Mendota Heights Mayor Sandra Krebsbach said Patrick was the city's first officer to die in
the line of duty. His death is a devastating loss to the city and the department, Krebsbach
said.
"He was a very dedicated officer," Krebsbach said. "He was jovial ... had an easygoing
disposition. ... (This is) hard on everyone."
Mendota Heights police officer Tanner Spicer brought members of Patrick's family to the
vigil. He said they wanted their privacy, yet also wanted to be there.
Patrick, who worked the day shift, was "fun to work with," Spicer said. "He was always very
witty, very funny. He was always quick to crack a joke, crack a smile."
http://www.twincities.com/crime/ci_26248168/at-vigil-and-words-slain-mendota-heights-o... 7/31/2014
At vigil and in words, slain Mendota Heights officer is mourned - TwinCities.com Page 2 of 3 ,
The Rev. John Snider of St. Stephen's Lutheran Church in West St. Paul recalled how
Patrick would pick up his daughters from confirmation classes in his squad car.
"They would have to sit in the back," he said at the vigil. "He was a good man.
II
% ' .<
' During the vigil, word spread about
the arrest in St. Paul of the suspect
` , in Patrick's killing. Someone yelled,
"They got him!" The crowd
3,..2 l$ a .. ,.., 1 . .... .. oi, cheered.•
ill 4 P t' .- " St. Paul Mayor Chris Coleman,
, _ , �Ilr $ who attended the vigil, said in a
statement: "Officer Patrick died
Air while protecting people in our
Mourners add candles, flowers and other mementos to a makeshift communities -- and this is a tragic
memorial to Mendota Heights Police officer Scott Patrick during a loss for all of us."
candlelight vigil
In a statement, Minnesota Gov.
Mark Dayton said: "We are appalled by the tragic killing of Mendota Heights Police Officer
Scott Patrick. On behalf of all Minnesotans, I extend my deepest condolences to his family,
friends, and colleagues. We pray that they be given strength and solace during this terrible
time."
Dennis Kiesow, a business agent for Law Enforcement Labor Services, described Patrick as
an "outgoing" leader who was quick to smile.
Hundreds of people come out to pay their respects to slain Mendota Heights Police
officer Scott Patrick.
In addition to his patrol duties, he served for many years as his department's union steward,
Kiesow said.
"He would go to bat for any of his fellow officers," Kiesow said.
Before his career in Mendota Heights, Patrick served on the Shakopee Police Department
from 1992 to 1995, Shakopee police Sgt. Derek Nordtvedt said.
Maplewood Police Chief Paul Schnell, who lives in Mendota Heights, recalled meeting
Patrick at a school function years ago. The two went on to see each other at various
community events and professional gatherings.
Schnell called his death a "horrible loss."
http://www.twincities.com/crime/ci 26248168/at-vigil-and-words-slain-mendota-heights-o... 7/31/2014
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"I think that this is something every (peace officer) dreads," he said. "I just feel so sad for his
family and for the department and for Mendota Heights. ... As a resident, he is one of my
police."
The killing serves as a reminder of the risks officers face, Schnell said, even while working in
what he described as "exceedingly safe communities."
"He was an officer just trying to do a job and he ends up being shot ... it's just immensely
difficult when these things happen," Schnell said.
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