Author: Aileen Johnson

Appointed – January 15, 1923

End of Watch – August 14, 1923

On the evening of August 14th, 1923, Officer Emil Engstrom recognized and stopped a suspect who was wanted in the robbery of a bread wagon driver near the Curtis Hotel earlier in the day.

As Officer Engstrom approached the suspect, the suspect shot him in the neck.  A nearby cab driver transported Officer Engstrom to General Hospital where Officer Engstrom identified the suspect prior to his death.

The suspect fled the scene and a hunt for him ensued. The suspect surrendered to the police two days later. He was found guilty of Officer Engstrom’s murder and was sentenced to life in Stillwater Penitentiary.

At the time of his death, Officer Engstrom was 36 years and old and married. He had only been with the department since January 1st, 1923. His funeral was held August 17th at the Swedish Tabernacle at 7th Street and 8th Avenue South and he was buried at Lakewood Cemetery.

End of Watch – November 25, 1913

Officer William J Lydon succumbed to injuries sustained on November 21st, 1913, when he was struck by a vehicle at the intersection of North First Avenue and North Sixth Street.

Despite being injured, he attempted to continue working throughout the day but ultimately went home on sick leave. His health deteriorated over the weekend and he subsequently died of a brain injury on November 25th, 1913.

Officer Lydon had served with the Minneapolis Police Department for 16 years at the time of his death. He was survived by his wife.

Officer Donald L Risberg collapsed on his Northside beat at the intersection of Lyndale and 42nd Avenues North shortly before 6:00 pm on November 28, 1956.

He died two hours later in General Hospital from a massive heart attack.

Officer Donald L Risberg had been a Minneapolis police officer for 14 years. He was a veteran of World War II.

Officer Risberg lived at 4537 Park Avenue South with his wife and two sons.

He was 44 years old at the time of his death.

The Minneapolis Police Honor Guard and Color Guard also honors officers from other police departments across the nation. This photograph shows then Honor Guard members Sgt. Tomma Freundschuh, Officers Ken Tidgwell, Jen Merrill, Laura Rose Turner, Cory Fitch (Color Guard member) in New York City honoring fallen NYPD Officers Ramos and Liu on December 21, 2014. They are shown near the hearse.

Photograph courtesy of the Minneapolis Police Museum

Appointed – June 14, 1956

End of Watch – September 30, 1972

Lieutenant Inno H Suek was shot and killed during a hold-up on September 30, 1972, at Hum’s Liquor Store at 2126 Lyndale Avenue South.

The suspects entered the store around closing time at 10:00 p.m. There were several customers and employees in the store at the time. One of the suspects walked up behind Lieutenant Suek and pointed a pistol at his head, according to witnesses.

Lieutenant Suek attempted to gain possession of the weapon and was shot once in the chest during the struggle.

Lieutenant Suek was pronounced dead at the scene.

Lieutenant Suek was 41 years old and had served in the Minneapolis Police Department for 16 years. He was buried at Fort Snelling National Ceremony. Lieutenant Suek was survived by his wife, Rita (who passed in 2011) and their three sons Peter, Tom and John, and their daughter, Peggy.