Minn. Officer Who Shot Cop-Slaying Suspect Honored
ALEXANDRIA, Minn. (AP) -- A St. Paul police officer is Minnesota's Police Officer of the Year for his actions following the ambush slaying of Maplewood Police Sgt. Joe Bergeron.
Officer Dave Longbehn received the honor Monday night from the Minnesota Police and Peace Officers Association.
Longbehn was called in May 1, 2010, to help find Bergeron's killers. Longbehn confronted a man who turned out to be one of the suspects. The man attacked Longbehn, who shot and killed the suspect.
Two officers received honorable mentions. St. Paul police officer Jason Giampolo is credited with saving lives after a semi-truck struck an electrical pole. Also honored was State Trooper Travis Pearson, who fatally shot an Iron Range man who fired shots at a home where his estranged wife and her children were staying.
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