Elk River Mourning Officer's Death In Weekend Double Murder
ELK RIVER, Minn. (WCCO) -- An Elk River police officer killed over the weekend is being remembered as a loyal officer and a hard worker.
Officer Todd Besser, 49, was shot to death Saturday evening in a home in St. Michael. His 27-year-old son, Blake Besser, was also killed. The officer's 21-year-old son, Chris Besser, turned himself into police shortly after the shootings.
Up until recently, Todd Besser had worked as a school liaison officer in the Elk River School District, including Elk River High School.
Elk River Schools Superintendent Dr. Mark Bezek said he's given the Besser family the option of having the funeral for Todd Besser and his son at the high school.
The hearts of many in the town of Elk River are heavy over the death of Officer Todd Besser.
"You can feel it. You can feel the sadness," Bernice Guck at Kemper's Drug Store said.
Besser was a regular in Kemper's Drug Store. All who used to wait on him say he had a tender soul.
"When I saw it on TV last night, it brought tears to my eyes," Guck said.
News spread quickly of how Todd Besser and his son, Blake, were shot and killed inside a St. Michael home.
"At this point in time everyone is still in shock over this," Bezek said. "Todd was a very quiet person but he was also very supportive. He worked extremely well with our special populations.
During his time at Elk River High School, Besser helped Bezek's son choose the military as a career.
"I could tell in my son's voice from South Korea this morning that it hit him really, really hard," Bezek said.
Flags were flown at half-staff Monday across the Elk River School District.
Counselors were also standing by Monday in case students needed to talk. The tragedy began unfolding Saturday evening.
Todd Besser finished his shift, then visited his sons at their St. Michael home. Deputies said a short time later, one of the shooting victims called police, but when they arrived at the scene it was too late. They found the bodies of Todd Besser and his son, Blake.
"It's an emotional time for all people involved. Todd was a quiet person, but he was always supportive. You always knew that he had your back," Bezek said.
That hurt is shared by all who have crossed paths with Officer Besser. People we spoke with say they will huddle together for strength and pray they can handle what they will learn when charges are filed and the story behind what happened inside the home in St. Michael is made public.
Todd Besser had also gotten remarried about a year-and-a-half ago.
Funeral services for both Officer Todd Besser and Blake Besser were announced Monday afternoon.
There public is welcome to a service that will start with a visitation for Todd and Blake Besser at Elk River High School from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sunday. The funeral service will start immediately following the visitation in the high school gym. Elk River High School is located at 900 School Street in Elk River.
Following the service, a procession with family, officers and community members will travel to Orono Cemetery in Elk River for Todd Besser's burial. A burial for Blake Besser has been scheduled for Monday, May 18.
A memorial fund has been set up in Officer Todd Besser's name at the Bank of Elk River, located at 633 Main Street in Elk River. The Minnesota Law Enforcement Memorial Association is assisting the Elk River Police Department with funeral arrangements.
Chris Besser, who's accused of fatally shooting his father and brother, has a criminal history that involves convictions for marijuana possession, a traffic violation and DWI. He's expected to make his first court appearance Tuesday.
The Wright County Sheriff's Office said it is still investigating what led up to the incident and a possible motive. That information has not been released, but a news conference is set for 9:30 a.m. Tuesday.