Paul Elmstrand

Police Officer Paul Elmstrand of the Burnsville Police Department in Minnesota was shot and killed on February 18, 2024, after responding to a domestic incident. A male had taken several family members hostage, including seven children, and barricaded himself inside the home. After three and a half hours of negotiation, the subject suddenly fired on the officers, striking Officer Elmstrand. He was transported to the hospital where he succumbed to his wounds. Another officer, Matthew Ruge, and a firefighter/paramedic, Adam Finseth, were also killed in the incident. Officer Elmstrand was 27 years old and had served with the Burnsville Police Department as a Community Service Officer beginning in 2017 and was promoted to an officer in 2019.

Elmstrand was born in Cambridge, Minnesota, and was the fifth child of Rodney and Sara Elmstrand. He grew up on the family farm in North Branch, Minnesota and graduated in 2015 from Cambridge-Isanti High School. In 2018, he graduated from University of Northwestern, St. Paul with a criminal justice degree. He was active in 4H, the Lutheran Church, ROC, and the Isanti County Explorers. He enjoyed hunting, showing cattle, trap shooting, camping, canoeing and being with people. He chose to work in law enforcement because of his admiration for a family friend who was a State Trooper and because of his strong desire to help others. He served five years as an officer with the Burnsville Police Department and a member of the mobile command staff. He loved his job and loved serving his community. He also worked as a part-time officer for the University of Minnesota Police Department, joining in July 2022. He provided police and safety services during stadium games, homecoming, and other campus events. He was an amazing and gifted police officer.

Elmstrand met his future wife, Cindy, in grammar school and started dating in high school. They married in 2018 and were blessed with two children, Maria and Mateo. Cindy described her husband as the most generous, loving, patient person she had ever known. He was devoted to his wife and children. He was a great dad and husband, with deep faith and a servant’s heart.

Police Officer Paul Elmstrand is survived by his loving wife Cindy, his precious children Maria and Mateo, his parents Rod and Sara Elmstrand, his siblings Becky, Tricia, Mary and Erik, and many other cherished family members and friends.

The Tunnel to Towers Foundation has paid off the mortgage on the Elmstrand family home through the Fallen First Responder Home Program.