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funeral procession of officer frank hallet

Posted on by Aileen Johnson in Events, Fallen Officers, History

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.

helping our community

Posted on by Aileen Johnson in Events, History

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

Honor Ceremony in memory of sergeant john w o’neil

Posted on by Aileen Johnson in Uncategorized

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.

killed in the line of duty

Posted on by Aileen Johnson in Fallen Officers, News

Minneapolis Police Honor Guard Member Sergeant Kenneth Tidgwell has created a video commemorating all Minneapolis Police Officers who have been killed in the line of duty. 

We are grateful to Sergeant Tidgwell for his excellent work in honoring the fallen and are privileged to have the opportunity to present his video. 

You will find a link to the video on our Home Page

congratulations to honor guard member sergeant rick doll

Posted on by Aileen Johnson in Events, News

At the Special Olympics Minnesota Distinguished Service Awards Ceremony on September 14th, Honor Guard Member Sergeant Rick Doll received the Law Enforcement Torch Run Hall of Fame Award for his work with Special Olympics Minnesota.  

This award is given to people who bring Special Olympics Minnesota to new levels and who demonstrate unwavering leadership in the development of its mission.   

Sergeant Doll has led the Minneapolis Polar Plunge as law enforcement leader since its inception in 2007.  

Sergeant Doll has helped raise over $9 million, recruited 35,000 participants and involved more than 100,000 spectators over the eleven year history of the Minneapolis Polar Plunge. This event has helped create tremendous media awareness of Special Olympics Minnesota both locally and nationally, all under Sergeant Doll’s guidance

Additionally, Sergeant Doll has dedicated endless time, energy and resources to Special Olympics Minnesota by hosting Tip-a-Cop events, selling t-shirts, volunteering at competitions, participating in the Unified Relay Across America, and recruiting other law enforcement officers to volunteer their time.  

Sergeant Doll is an integral part of Special Olympics Minnesota.

We are proud of him and we congratulate him on his well-deserved award.

farewell to diego

Posted on by Aileen Johnson in News

We have some sad news to share.   During the weekend of August 24th, the Minneapolis Police Mounted Unit said farewell to Diego after he was injured and needed to be put down.  Diego was a 21-year-old Tennessee Walker who joined the unit in 2009.  He worked hundreds of shifts and was one of the MPD’s best police horses.  Diego will be  missed and fondly remembered by all who know him. 

we did it!

Posted on by Aileen Johnson in Donations, Events, News

We met our goal to work 11 Twins games this season!  Our volunteers raised $4287.59 for the Honor Guard and Color Guard and Mounted Police Foundations.  

Many thanks to Paula Barrette, Al Bird, Colleen Bird, Tammy Diepenbrock, Rick Doll, Julie Ludwig Woods and Amy Sizer for their excellent work!  

We have a tremendous sense of accomplishment and we hope that you will join us next year.  

Many thanks to Delaware North and the Minnesota Twins for their generous support of our foundation!