Burnsville schools, City Hall closed Wednesday during police memorial

The district canceled classes because of traffic expected for the memorial and procession.

The Minnesota Star Tribune
February 27, 2024 at 11:53PM
The sun rose at Grace Church before a memorial service for Burnsville police officers Paul Elmstrand, 27, Matthew Ruge, 27, and firefighter-paramedic Adam Finseth, 40, in Eden Prairie on Wednesday. (Anthony Soufflé/The Minnesota Star Tribune)

The Burnsville-Eagan-Savage School District has canceled Wednesday classes because of expected travel concerns in the area of the memorial for the fallen Burnsville officers and paramedic, the district said in a Facebook post Tuesday afternoon.

Burnsville city offices and facilities also will close in honor of the first responders.

A memorial service is scheduled for 11 a.m. Wednesday for the three who were killed while responding to a domestic incident last week — Burnsville police officers Paul Elmstrand and Matthew Ruge and firefighter-paramedic Adam Finseth. A number of roads will be closed for the procession following the memorial service.

“Due to planned road closures and expected impacts to transportation throughout the area, there will be no school on Wednesday, Feb. 28 for all students in Burnsville-Eagan-Savage School District 191, including Virtual Academy,” the district’s post read. “In addition, all District 191 programs and facilities will be closed to the public, and after-school athletics and activities are canceled.”

The district added in the post that “this is an unprecedented situation and the district understands this is a disruption for many families. We appreciate your understanding and partnership.”

Burnsville City Hall, the Ice Center, the Ames Center, maintenance facility and police and fire stations will be closed, the city said on its Facebook page Tuesday. The Ice Center will reopen at 7 p.m. Wednesday, and city operations will resume Thursday.

Burnsville’s mutual aid partners, including Dakota County public safety agencies and EMS providers, will cover the city during the memorial.

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about the writer

Louis Krauss

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Louis Krauss is a general assignment reporter for the Star Tribune.

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