Community Prepares For Officer Scott Patrick's Visitation, Funeral
MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) -- Over the next two days, thousands of people are expected to turn out to pay their last respects to the Mendota Heights Police Officer killed in the line of duty nearly a week ago.
Last Wednesday, Officer Scott Patrick was shot and killed during a routine traffic stop in West St. Paul.
On Tuesday, the public is invited to a visitation and Wednesday a private funeral will be held at St. Stephen's Lutheran Church in West St. Paul.
Starting at 2 p.m. Tuesday, everyone is invited to come down to the church to pay tribute to Patrick. The visitation will go until 8 p.m.
If you go, you'll want to park at Henry Sibley High School on Delaware Avenue. There will be shuttle buses taking people to and from the church.
On Wednesday morning, the funeral service will start at 11 a.m. However, it's reserved for only family, friends and the Mendota Heights Police Department.
Those who want to pay their respects are being urged to line the nearly 8-mile procession route starting at 12:30 p.m. Hundreds of law enforcement and public safety agencies will go first. About 20 minutes later, Mendota Heights law enforcement will accompany Patrick's family to Acacia Park Cemetery.
The hope is his family will see well-wishers fill every inch of the route.
"The law enforcement community wants them to know that they'll always be remembered – their husband, father, brother and son – will always be remembered forever and we want them to know that right from the beginning. We're with them. We support them and we'll never forget them," Capt. Kevin Torgerson of the LEMA Honor Guard said.
If you're planning on lining up for the funeral procession, you're encouraged to bring flags and signs of support.