Roll of Honor
Incident
While working his traffic assignment, thirty-year veteran Officer Jerry Haaf decided to take a coffee break. He went to the Pizza Shack, which was a favorite south-side restaurant that police officers had frequented for many years. Officer Haaf was seated in the restaurant with several other people. As he read the newspaper, two assailants from the street gang, “Vice Lords,“ came from behind and fired several bullets into his back. The two murderers ran from the restaurant as Officer Haaf lay on the floor, mortally wounded, calling for help on his portable radio. Another patron who had been sitting at the same table was wounded at the same time Officer Haaf was executed. After the murderers fled, a retired Minneapolis officer and other patrons went to Officer Haaf’s aid. Moments later, police officers arrived and started administering first aid. Officer Haaf was taken to the County Hospital, where he succumbed to his wounds. A multi-agency investigation into the murder of Officer Jerry Haaf was started. After months of work and hundreds of pages of statements and interviews, the killers were convicted and sent to prison. One subject was sentenced to life, and three others were sentenced to 30 years. Officer Haaf was a United States Air Force veteran who had served with the Minneapolis Police Department for 30 years and was a few months from retirement.
Survivors
He is survived by his wife, daughter, and two sons.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-MN-C4184562- Stewardship
- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- April 2, 2026
- Last updated
- July 23, 2026
Honored here by 1 sentinel - 1 tribute.
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Tributes
I served 1985 to 1993. You served too, before the badge - different uniform, same idea. You go where you are sent and you do not get to pick the call.
Patrolman Haaf gave the Minneapolis Police Department 30 years.
Thank you for your service to the Minneapolis community, and for your service before it. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, brother.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Military Service
Jerome Victor Haaf served in the United States military before joining law enforcement. Full service record available on salute.nw.
Patrolman Jerome Victor Haaf is one of 17,623 officers killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty across the full record of this memorial — 54.2% of all 32,508 officers honored here.
In MN, 173 of 293 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 59% of this state's fallen. That is 4.8 percentage points above the national rate of 54.2%.
At Minneapolis Police Department, 32 of 50 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 64% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Jerome Victor Haaf's cause is highlighted.
How Jerome Victor Haaf Compares
Offender Outcome
Sentenced to life
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Jerome Victor Haaf is highlighted in Sep.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Jerome Victor Haaf was killed by gun; unknown type.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
49 officers from Minneapolis Police Department are honored on badge.nw. Showing the 16 most recent.
