Communities In Shock After Elk River Cop, Son Killed In St. Michael
ST. MICHAEL, Minn. (WCCO) -- The Elk River Police Department is dealing with the death of an officer for the first time in the department's history.
Officer Todd Besser and his son were both shot to death Saturday night. And now, authorities have another one of the officer's sons in custody. Chris Besser, 21, turned himself in not long after the double murder in the family's home in St. Michael.
Nina Moini discovered more about what authorities are learning about this highly-decorated police officer and his family.
Elk River has 32 officers in the department. The entire community is feeling this loss very deeply, trying to cope with the loss and the tragic idea that a family member could be to blame.
For 16 years Officer Todd Besser put his life on the line every day. But it was inside his own family home where it was taken from him.
"He was just one of those guys who no matter when you saw him you would get a friendly greeting," Elk River Police Chief Ron Nierenhausen said.
Nierenhausen said Besser was an inspiration to other cops, an Air Force veteran turned police officer, rewarded twice with life-saving awards.
"So I think that speaks for everything," Nierenhausen said.
Officer Besser finished his shift Saturday evening, then visited his sons at their St. Michael home. Sheriff's deputies say a short time later, one of the shooting victims was able to call 911. But when help arrived it was too late. Blake Besser, 27, was found dead in the kitchen, and 49-year-old Todd Besser was dead in the basement.
Less than an hour later, authorities say 21-year-old Chris Besser called police from a Kwik Stop gas station in Monticello. He wanted to turn himself in.
It's a story that leaves the family's next door neighbors of 14 years stunned.
"You expect with three boys living next door you have some issue and some point in time. Nothing, not one ever," neighbor Jeff Mastro said. "Every time I talked with them, they are very respectful, nice guys."
Two lives lost in one family, a third life in trouble and an unimaginable tragedy even for police officers who have seen it all.
"Keep the family in your thoughts and prayers," Nierenhausen said.
The chief said Todd Besser had gotten married a year-and-a-half ago and lived with his wife in Otsego. He was excited to start a new chapter of his life. As soon as there is any funeral information for the public the chief said he would release it.
Authorities haven't said anything about what might have led up to the shooting, other than that they believe it was domestic-related.
Chris Besser was arrested without putting up any sort of fight and booked into the Wright County Jail on suspicion of second-degree homicide, but has not yet been formally charged..