What to know about public funeral for Burnsville police officers and first responder killed in shooting
BURNSVILLE, Minn. — The Burnsville police officers and first responder killed in a shooting earlier this month will be memorialized with a public service Wednesday morning.
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Shannon Gooden fatally shot police officers Paul Elmstrand and Matthew Ruge, as well as paramedic and firefighter Adam Finseth, Feb. 18, according to authorities. Gooden then died by suicide.
The funeral will take place at Grace Church in Eden Prairie at 11 a.m. Anyone not in attendance can watch the service live on WCCO-TV or CBS News Minnesota. Streaming coverage will begin at 10:30 a.m. and TV coverage begins at 11 a.m.
A map has been posted for the procession following the service.
How to watch the memorial service for Burnsville first responders
Where: Grace Church, 9301 Eden Prairie Rd, Eden Prairie
When: Feb. 28, 10:30 a.m. streaming coverage begins | 11 a.m. TV coverage begins
Watch: On WCCO-TV, CBS News Minnesota on Pluto TV or on the CBS News app on your phone or connected TV.
REPLAY: If you missed live coverage, CBS News Minnesota will be offering a replay of memorial coverage starting at 7 p.m.
Road closures, traffic impacts
The processional will leave Grace Church, travel south on Highway 169 and pass by three locations in Burnsville: Burnsville Fire Station Number 2, the police department and Prince of Peace Lutheran Church.
Seating and parking are limited, so Prince of Peace will be an overflow livestream viewing spot.
Traffic, congestion and delays are expected to make Wednesday tricky for supporters. Weather is also a factor, as the Twin Cities are in the midst of a temperature drop and light snowstorm that could impact the morning commute.
The following roads will be closed roughly between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. on Wednesday:
To see a map of the traffic impacts and alternate routes, click here. School is canceled in Burnsville on Wednesday due to the road closures.
Many people want to show support, but not everyone can attend. Organizers say the best way to honor the fallen heroes is to watch the live stream and procession routes.
"We have planned for this amount of love and support and we continue to plan for the challenges that it brings. Please understand this, that love and support and the challenges are good challenges," said Howie Padilla with the Minnesota Department of Public Safety. "Love and support lifts so many people. It sustains them in these hours and days that otherwise would have been so much darker."
The fallen first responders and their families have received an outpouring of support from the community since the fatal standoff. A memorial outside the Burnsville Police Department is adorned with flowers and messages, Twin Cities businesses have stepped up to raise money and multiple processions and vigils have honored Elmstrand, Ruge and Finseth. Their families have thanked the community for its help and spoken about the kind of men they were.
The BCA is investigating the confrontation between Gooden and authorities.
If you or someone you know is in emotional distress or suicidal crisis, call the National Suicide Prevention Hotline at 988 or 1-800-273-TALK (8255). For more information about mental health care resources and support, The National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) HelpLine can be reached Monday through Friday, 10 a.m.–6 p.m. ET, at 1-800-950-NAMI (6264) or email info@nami.org.
