News from the Foundation
We have exciting news to share!
Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railroad (BNSF) has presented us a $10,000 donation towards our effort to send our guard members to Washington, DC this May to participate in National Police Week activities.
We are grateful to BSNF for their generous support!
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 – 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
The Minneapolis Police Cadet Class 2019-1 stands at attention as it honors the memory of Sergeant John W. O’Neil
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
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.
