Grace Church to host tribute for fallen first responders; significant traffic impacts expected

Grace Church in Eden Prairie will host a memorial service at 11 a.m. Wednesday, Feb. 28, for three Burnsville first responders — police officers Paul Elmstrand and Matthew Ruge, and firefighter/paramedic Adam Finseth — who died in the line of duty on Feb. 18.

A last-call ceremony, including a firearms salute, ceremonial flyover, and a procession of thousands of emergency response vehicles along Pioneer Trail and south of Highway 169, will follow the public memorial service.

Eden Prairie officials expect a high turnout from across the Twin Cities, likely significantly impacting local traffic, especially along Pioneer Trail.

To facilitate the memorial service, specific roads around Grace Church, 9301 Eden Prairie Road, will be closed temporarily from about 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., and vehicle access to nearby parks will be limited.

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Detailed updates will be released on Tuesday, Feb. 27.

Eden Prairie Schools will adjust bus routes in the southern part of the city to accommodate road closures, communicating directly with affected students’ families.

The memorial at Grace Church, which has seating for 4,300, is expected to fill quickly. Family members and public safety personnel will have priority seating as per the families’ wishes.

The service will also be available via livestream on the Grace Church YouTube channel and at Grace.live for those unable to attend in person.

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Funeral service overflow parking and shuttle bus

In a Monday media release, Burnsville officials encouraged carpooling due to the expected congestion around the memorial service.

Overflow parking with shuttle bus service is available at Miller Park and Staring Lake Park in Eden Prairie, starting at 9 a.m. Wednesday and continuing until the church reaches capacity. Transportation back to these locations will be provided after the service.

Access to Miller Park is only available from Eden Prairie Road, while access to Staring Lake Park is limited to westbound Pioneer Trail traffic.

“However, please know that the church may fill before people from these lots are transported to the church,” the press release stated. “People may be turned away to the alternate location, even after they park.”

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

For those wishing to financially support the families of the three fallen first responders, 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.