Grace Church to host Feb. 28 memorial service for three fallen first responders

A public memorial service to honor three first responders who were killed in the line of duty in Burnsville will take place next week at Grace Church in Eden Prairie.

Scheduled for Wednesday, Feb. 28, at 11 a.m., the service will remember Burnsville police officers Paul Elmstrand and Matthew Ruge, and firefighter/paramedic Adam Finseth, who died on Sunday, Feb. 18.

With its 4,300-seat auditorium and ample parking, Grace Church can accommodate the expected large turnout from across the Twin Cities.

“Grace Church is deeply saddened by the events that took place in Burnsville last weekend; we have been and continue to pray for the comfort and healing of the grieving families and all those impacted by this tragic incident,” stated Becky Mielke, the senior director of communications of Grace Church.

Eden Prairie City Manager Rick Getschow noted in his Friday report that the city is closely working with various agencies to plan the event and will provide more details next week on expected traffic and road closures.

At the Tuesday, Feb. 20, Eden Prairie City Council meeting, Mayor Ron Case expressed his condolences, highlighting the widespread impact of the tragedy.

“Our hearts and our thoughts and prayers go out to the people of Burnsville, especially their police and fire departments,” Case stated. He also acknowledged the dedication of Eden Prairie’s first responders, thanking them for “coming to work every day to keep us safe.”

Updates on the memorial service, donation options, and related details can be found on the City of Burnsville’s website.

For those wishing to support the families of the three fallen first responders financially, contributions can be directed to Law Enforcement Labor Services, the official donation site. Non-monetary support can be provided by donating items to the Prince of Peace Church Mission Outpost Donation Center, 13801 Fairview Drive, Burnsville.

The incident is under investigation by the Minnesota Department of Public Safety Bureau of Criminal Apprehension (BCA).

Preliminary findings suggest that Shannon Gooden, 38, of Burnsville, fatally shot and killed Elmstrand, Ruge, and Finseth, before taking his own life with a self-inflicted gunshot wound. The incident began with a domestic disturbance report at Gooden’s residence, leading to a violent confrontation and standoff.