Officer Who Stopped New Hope City Hall Gunman Named Officer Of The Year
MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) – Edina police officer Beau Schoenhard has been named Minnesota Officer of the Year.
"To be recognized alongside partners and peers from other agencies is a great honor," Schoenhard said in a press release. "The awards ceremony was an emotional evening and I am very proud I had the opportunity to have my family alongside me."
Schoenhard received the award for stopping a gunman at a New Hope City Council meeting in early 2015. Schoenhard was serving in New Hope at the time.
Related: More Details Released On New Hope City Hall Shooting
The gunman entered New Hope City Hall and began shooting at the location of a swearing-in ceremony for two new police officers. Schoenhard tackled the suspect and was shot in the hand in the process.
The gunshot broke his radial bone and wrist. At the time, doctors told him he would never work again.
"The doctors said, 'You're not going back to work. You're not going to have feeling in your hand,'" Schoenhard said. "The only solution for me was that I was going back to work. I never thought that I wouldn't. There was no way I wasn't going to return."
Schoenhard went through four surgeries, 75 physical therapy sessions and 12 acupuncture sessions. He returned to active duty in New Hope in December 2015. About one year after the shooting, Schoenhard was sworn in as an Edina police officer.
New Hope Police Chief Tim Fournier nominated Schoenhard for the award.
"The reason I recommended [Schoenhard] is because he was unarmed and his wife and 15-month-old son were with him and he selflessly fought for that weapon," Fournier said. "Because of his bravery and selfless act, it allowed time for the other officers to get shots off."
Schoenhard was honored at the April 19 banquet of the Minnesota Chiefs of Police Association.