Several people inquired why our officers were wearing black bands on their badges. Unfortunately, May has not been a very good month for Minnesota law enforcement officers.
Officer Gerald Vick of the St. Paul Police Department was killed earlier this month. This past week was law enforcement memorial week so we continued the bands on the badges and kept flags at half staff.
Last Wednesday Ramsey County Deputy Glen Pothen was struck by a pickup on I694 near I35. Apparently the driver lost control and literally ran over Deputy Pothen. The video has been on national news broadcasts. It is an absolute miracle that Pothen was not seriously injured. Pothen had stopped to help a Minnesota Trooper with a motorist who had gone into the ditch on a highway near Little Canada.
Then I learned that Officer Peter Resch of the Wadena Police Department died of a heart attack on May 19th while he was struggling with a suspect at the scene of a domestic disturbance. Officer Resch, with the assistance of a Verndale officer, was able to subdue and handcuff the suspect. He then collapsed in the apartment building’s hallway as he escorted the suspect to a patrol car. Officer Resch suffered a fatal heart attack minutes after the suspect was subdued. Other officers and emergency personnel on the scene immediately began CPR. He was transported to Tri County Hospital where he was pronounced dead.
Officer Resch had served with the Wadena Police Department for 15 years.
We’ll keep the bands on and the flag at the Safety Center at half staff in remembrance of Officer Resch.