A Happy New Year greeting from 1945 written in snow outside the Armory as viewed from the 4th floor of the General Hospital Nurses’ Home.
The Minneapolis Police Honor Guard and Color Guard Foundation wishes you all the best for a safe, healthy and happy 2020!
Photograph courtesy of Hennepin County Library
The family of the late Sergeant O’Neil attended the December graduation ceremony of the Minneapolis Police Cadet Class 2019-1. They presented the new officers a delicious gift of cookies. The cookies were in the shape of a Minneapolis Police badge and carried the badge number of Sergeant O’Neil. Many thanks to the O’Neil family for their thoughtfulness.
Appointed – June 28, 1943
End of Watch – February 4, 1972
Officer Joseph G Pudlick was shot and killed while assisting two Hennepin County deputies arrest a man on a mental commitment order at 2540 Northeast Quincy Street.
The suspect was apprehended and he was subsequently committed to a state mental hospital until his death.
Officer Pudlick was assigned to the Second Precinct. He had been with the Minneapolis Police department for 28 years.
Officer Pudlick was survived by his wife, Arlene, and four children. His funeral was on Monday, February 7th, 1972 at St. Charles Borromeo Catholic Church and he was buried in Gethsemane Cemetery.
Appointed – July 10, 1899
End of Watch – December 25, 1925
Sergeant Michael Lawrence was shot and killed while attempting to arrest a robbery suspect at Fourteenth Avenue North and Sixth Street North.
For several years, he had worked as a logger in various Minneapolis lumber mills, but gave up that work to join the Minneapolis Police Department in 1899. He served for 26 years, first as a patrol officer, then as a desk sergeant, and later as Commander of the North Side Gun Squad.
Sergeant Lawrence lived with his family at 1530 Hillside Avenue North. He was survived by his wife, one son, and three daughters.
Led by Frank W. Brunskill, Minneapolis Chief of Police, 125 Minneapolis and St. Paul Police Officers formed a guard of honor at the funeral service for their fallen colleague.
Sergeant Lawrence was buried at St Mary’s Cemetery on January 1, the very day on which he was scheduled to retire from service.
Photograph courtesy of Hennepin County Library
Appointed – December 4, 1925
End of Watch – August 9, 1931
Officer Clayton Olson was shot and killed while investigating a suspicious man on East Lake Street. When he followed the man into an alley the suspect opened fire with a .45 caliber handgun, striking Officer Olson six times. Officer Olson died at the scene.
Officer Olson was 36 years old and had been with the Minneapolis Police department for nearly six years. He had served two years in France during World War One. Only one week before his death, he had used his war bonus money to make the first payment on a home at 5344 57th Avenue South.
Funeral services for Officer Olson were held at Crystal Lake Cemetery Chapel on August 11, 1931. He was survived by his wife and their 4-year-old daughter.
Photograph courtesy of Hennepin County Library
Sergeant John W O’Neil was killed in the line of duty on June 7, 1944. Two years later this rescue boat was christened in his name.
Photograph courtesy of his daughter Sandra O’Neil Gaffney of Portland, OR
Appointed – September 1, 1902
End of Watch – August 25, 1920
Officer Frank Hallet was shot and killed when he and two other officers stopped four men in a vehicle for suspicion of moonshining. As Officer Hallet approached the car at Franklin Avenue and 26th Avenue the suspects inside opened fire, striking Officer Hallet in the head. The other officers returned fire as the suspects fled.
Three of the shooters were apprehended and convicted; they were sentenced to 30 years imprisonment in the state penitentiary.
Officer Hallet was 45 years old. He lived at 1092 14th Avenue Southeast and was survived by his wife and two children. He joined the Minneapolis Police Department 11 years earlier and was assigned to the Second Precinct Station. He was transferred to the Central Station and finally to the Third Precinct. His funeral was held on Friday, August 27 at the First Methodist Church at 5th Street and 9th Avenue Southeast. Officer Hallet was buried in Hillside Cemetery on August 28, 1920.
Minneapolis Police Officers carry the casket of Officer Frank Hallet following his funeral on August 27, 1920
L to R in background: Minneapolis Police Officers Bienapfl, Cziok, Roskovick, Engles, and Sgt Finn help pack food into crates for needy families. L to R in foreground: Officer Paulson, Judge Gebo and Mr Derby help sort food that will be delivered to families all over Minneapolis, 1940s. Photo courtesy of Hennepin County Library
The Minneapolis Police Honor Guard and Color Guard Foundation had the privilege of supporting the Minneapolis Police Cadet Class 2019-1 as it honored the memory of Sergeant John W. O’Neil who was killed in the line of duty on June 7, 1944.
The cadet class wanted to honor Sergeant O’Neil because he died one day after the D-Day invasion and they thought that his sacrifice may not have been adequately recognized at the time due to the understandable focus on the turning point in the war.
The honor ceremony was held at Fort Snelling on December 3. The cadet class began the ceremony with a 5K Memorial Run. As they ran, they held aloft a standard bearing Sergeant O’Neil’s name.
When they returned from the run, the cadet class stood to attention as Officer Steve Laux read aloud the story of Sergeant O’Neil and then took the roll call. Each of the cadets responded as their name was called. Sergeant O’Neil’s name was the last to be called and, after a moment of silence, Taps was played.
For the cadets and the Foundation, it was a deeply meaningful experience to have Sergeant O’Neil’s daughter and grandchildren and a great grandchild and other family members present at the service. They travelled from Portland and Chicago and the metro area to attend. We are grateful to them and extend them our heartfelt best wishes.
The cadet class presented the family a rare photograph of Sergeant O’Neil from 1944 that they had found in their research of him. On behalf of the cadet class, the Foundation presented the family a plaque honoring the memory of Sergeant O’Neil.
After a coffee and conversation hour, the family was invited to watch one of the cadet training scenarios. The evening ended on a warm and positive note with many stories shared and new friends made.