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Incident
Police Officer Matthew Ruge and Police Officer Paul Elmstrand were shot and killed after responding to a domestic incident in the 12600 block of 33rd Avenue at about 2:00 am.
A man who was a convicted felon had taken several family members hostage, including seven children, and barricaded himself inside the home.
Officer Ruge, Officer Elmstrand, and two other officers had been negotiating inside the house with the man, who claimed to be unarmed. After three and a half hours of negotiation, the subject fired on the officers suddenly at 5:26 a.m. Two officers returned fire, wounding the subject in the leg. While Officer Ruge and a Burnsville Police Department sergeant were exiting the home, they were struck a second time. Burnsville Firefighter/Paramedic Adam Finseth was shot while he was trying to help the wounded officers to an armored vehicle. The man continued to shoot at officers from an upstairs window.
Officer Ruge, Officer Elmstrand, and Paramedic Finseth were transported to Hennepin County Medical Center where they succumbed to their wounds. The sergeant was treated and released.
The man committed suicide and was found deceased in the home at about 10:15 am. The investigation revealed that the subject fired more than 100 rounds at the officers. The hostages were able to escape safely.
Officer Ruge had served with the Burnsville Police Department for four years.
Survivors
He is survived by his parents and sister.
In Our Keeping
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- Added to badge.nw
- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Police Officer Ruge gave the Burnsville Police Department 4 years.
Thank you for your service to the Burnsville community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Police Officer Ruge.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Burnsville Police Department has lost 2 officers; 2 of them killed feloniously.
Matthew is one of 173 officers killed feloniously in MN, 59% of the 293 remembered there.
Matthew is one of 15,742 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Matthew is one of 17,622 officers killed feloniously worldwide, 51.7% of the 34,102 remembered here.
34,102 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 2024, 3 officers in MN were killed feloniously, the 10th heaviest of 93 years on record. The heaviest was 1922, with 11.
In 2024, 68 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 105th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 2024, 68 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 114th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Matthew was 27. Of the 166 killed feloniously in MN whose age is recorded, half were between 33 and 49; the middle age was 41. Matthew had served 4 years; the middle length of service was 8 years.
Matthew was 27. Of the 14,219 killed feloniously in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 47; the middle age was 38. Matthew had served 4 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Matthew was 27. Of the 15,853 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Matthew had served 4 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
February holds 6.9% of these deaths in MN; August holds the most, 16.8%. Sundays: 12.7%.
February holds 7.4% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Sundays: 15.2%.
February holds 7.4% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Sundays: 15.2%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 100% of all 2 deaths at Burnsville Police Department. The weapon recorded was gun; unknown type, in 100% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 59% of all 293 deaths in MN, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun; unknown type, in 8.7% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 57.1% of all 27,551 deaths in the United States, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun; unknown type, in 9.5% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,102 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun; unknown type, in 8.5% of these deaths.
His people
Burnsville Police Department has 2 officers remembered here, Matthew among them.
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 17-WT
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
1 officer from Burnsville Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
