Minnesota State Patrol

It’s the final day of Farmfest in Redwood County. Thank you to everyone who stopped by this week to chat with our troopers and commercial vehicle inspectors. If you’re heading out today, you can find us on the northwest corner. We’d love to meet you!

Our troopers had a great time meeting people all across the state during National Night Out. We appreciate all of the great conversations and questions from even the youngest Minnesotans!

We need your help finding the truck involved in a hit-and-run that left a pedestrian seriously hurt earlier this month.

The crash happened on July 17, just before 3 a.m. on Highway 13 between Washburn and Chowen avenues in Burnsville. The vehicle is believed to be a black Dodge Ram, model year 2006 to 2009. The pickup likely has damage on the front driver’s side.

Anyone with information should call our investigators at 651-539-1151.

It will be a busy week on Minnesota roads and lakes. Whether you’re behind the wheel of a car or a boat – drive sober and be safe.

Leave the alcohol on shore.

That was the message DNR conservation officers and our law enforcement partners shared this morning as we talked about boating safety and the upcoming Operation Dry Water campaign, which runs July 4-6 and aims to deter folks from boating under the influence.

It’s going to be a busy week on the water – please be patient, be courteous, leave the alcohol on shore, and always wear a life jacket.


https://www.dnr.state.mn.us/safety/boatwater/index.html (https://www.dnr.state.mn.us/safety/boatwater/index.html)

Please follow the Blue Earth County Sheriff's Office on Facebook for the official information about the Rapidan Dam.

Emergency Management and law enforcement officials have not issued any evacuation orders.

Please use caution if you are driving in the area or near any flooding. Follow posted detours and do not drive around barricades.

Anyone that is in immediate danger in regards to the Rapidan Dam have been notified. The Dam is currently intact and there is not an evacuation order in place for Blue Earth County residents. The situation is being monitored closely by BEC Public Works, Emeergency Managment, and the Sheriff’s Office.

Our hearts are heavy with the loss of yet another law enforcement officer in Minnesota. It is a reminder of the dangers our peace officers and first responders face each day. Our thoughts are with Officer Mitchell’s family and everyone else affected by this tragedy.

To say once again that we are heartbroken at the loss of yet another peace officer does not seem enough.

We mourn the death of Minneapolis Police Officer Jamal Mitchell. We mourn the deaths of the community members he was called upon to help. We pray for the recovery of those injured. We weep alongside our fellow first responders as they continue to be steadfast in their dedication to the profession and to the communities we all serve.

We have reached out to the Minneapolis Police Department to offer our support tonight and in the days and weeks to come.

Lt. Col. Jeremy Geiger’s family joined us this morning to celebrate his promotion to second-in-command of the State Patrol. Lt. Col. Geiger has been with the patrol for 26 years, doing everything from patrolling Minnesota’s roads to teaching trooper cadets to working on the project that equipped every trooper with a body camera. Congratulations, Lt. Colonel, on your new role!

It’s game day, Minnesota! We’re ready to cheer on the Wolves tonight but we made a trip this morning first out to the Valley Springs Welcome Center near the Minnesota and South Dakota border.

We teamed up with Iowa and South Dakota state troopers to talk about safe driving as the summer travel season kicks off. We’ve seen a jump in fatal crashes this year and we are passionate about reminding drivers the dangers of speeding, distracted driving, DWI and not buckling up.

Driving smart for the win!

As we come to the end of National Police Week, we want to remember those who have lost their lives in the line of duty, from illness and su***de. We will never forget the sacrifice they and their families have made.

To our current troopers, thank you for all you do to keep Minnesotans safe.

After more than eight years of service, K-9 Matka is hanging up her leash.

The explosives detection K-9 was assigned to the State Capitol where she worked hard to keep employees and visitors safe.

Today, she was honored for her work with lots of belly rubs and a pup friendly cupcake during a retirement celebration.

Thank you for your commitment and congratulations on retirement, Matka! Now go enjoy some extra naps!

Gone but never forgotten.

Today on Peace Officer Memorial Day, we honor the brave men and women who’ve lost their lives in the line of duty.

This morning, our troopers stood in silence at the Peace Officers’ Memorial in St. Paul while Col. Christina Bogojevic laid a wreath to honor the more than 300 law enforcement officers killed in Minnesota.

We will forever be thankful for their service and sacrifice.

They bravely protect and serve — some of them making the ultimate sacrifice.

This week is National Police Week, a time to honor the men and women who have dedicated their lives to keeping us safe while also paying tribute to those who have died while protecting and serving.

That includes eight Minnesota State Patrol troopers have lost their lives in the line of duty.

Their service and sacrifice will never be forgotten.

You may not think speeding is a big deal, but it is. Speeding increases not only the chance of being in a crash, but also increases the severity of the crash.

So far this year, 116 people have died on Minnesota roads. That’s up almost 40 percent from this time last year. Many of those deadly crashes involved speeding.

To help stop the dangerous driving behavior, we are kicking off our new Rural Speed Reduction Project. Troopers in each district will conduct high visibility patrols on problematic roadways in their areas through the summer.

Statewide Rural Speed Project results April 29-May 5
• Total stops: 1,511
• Speed stops: 1,246

Learn more about this and other enforcement efforts: https://ow.ly/F6yz50RCaE6

St. Paul police are hosting this cool event tomorrow. We will have troopers and our helicopter there. Come out and say hi!

Next Saturday, May 11 is the Train like a Hero event at McMurray Fields!

Fun for families and people of all ages! Test your physical and mental abilities while training like a hero. Join us for a workout session, obstacle courses, climbing wall, helicopter drop, learn about health and safety, and enjoy food trucks. Meet your local heroes!

Register at https://tinyurl.com/TrainLikeAHeroSaintPaul

Col. Christina Bogojevic’s family helped pin her new badge on this afternoon. She was sworn in as chief of the Minnesota State Patrol at a pinning ceremony while surrounded by family, friends and troopers. Congratulations, colonel!

It’s been a deadly start to the year on Minnesota roads. Today, we marked 100 deaths. That’s 100 family members, friends or coworkers who should still be here today. And far more than 100 people are now grieving the loss of their loved one.

Last year at this time, 69 people had died as a result of a crash. Even one death is too many. Do your part. Slow down, put distractions away, wear your seat belt and always drive sober.

Today we remember Trooper William Kozlak. On this day in 1934, he was killed when the motorcycle he was riding struck a telephone pole on Highway 52 near Osseo. Trooper Kozlak was the first Minnesota trooper to die in the line of duty. He was 32 years old and left behind a wife and daughter.

Our State Patrol Explorers showed off their hard work and skills at the State Explorer Conference in Rochester. Over 400 explorers from 40 different agencies participated. Congratulations to our explorers who took home awards!

“This career isn’t like the TV shows portray. Being a 911 dispatcher is a great career path and option for someone looking to be a part of the law enforcement profession," said Minnesota State Patrol Telecommunicator Will Persons. "Every call you answer is different, with no two calls the same. The things we hear while talking to callers can be very interesting and unpredictable. We get calls daily from driving complaints, crashes, to someone reporting a possible UFO."

We’re taking you “Under the Headset" as we recognize National Public Safety Telecommunicators Week.

"I became a dispatcher after working as a police officer for three years. I decided to become a dispatcher after leaving the road as a way to continue helping others and helping ensure that our troopers/ conservation officers are safe while on patrol. My favorite part of being a dispatcher is the fact that we get to help ensure our partners make it home safe at the end of their shift, the same way dispatchers kept me safe when I was working patrol."

When he is not at work, he enjoys spending time with my wife and eight-month-old son. He also likes spending time outdoors hunting and fishing.

We are excited to welcome 35 new troopers to the Minnesota State Patrol!

Graduates from the 68th and 69th training academies took the oath of office today while surrounded by family, friends and current troopers. New grads will be stationed across the state to help keep our roads and people across Minnesota safe.

Congratulations troopers and welcome to the team!

“Being a 911 dispatcher has its daily ups and downs. However, no matter what you will always have that sense of daily accomplishment. Our goal is to allow everyone to get home safely. This includes our motorists and our law enforcement partners. Even if I did not answer the radio or phone one time that day as long as I know there were no serious or fatal crashes, and all of my troopers made it home to their families I accomplished my mission for that day," said Minnesota State Patrol Telecommunicator Justin Dejarlais.

We’re taking you “Under the Headset" as we recognize National Public Safety Telecommunicators Week, April 14-20.

"Emergency dispatchers have many things on the go. They are also hired based on their multitasking skills and are well-trained at toggling between tasks. However, there are usually fewer emergency dispatchers than there are emergency services personnel," said Dejarlais. "So, when the dispatcher is taking your phone call, there is probably a lot of coordination happening that you aren't hearing or seeing. The dispatcher may be running checks or informing police of extenuating circumstances like safety issues, among many other concerns that need to be addressed. Emergency dispatchers understand how much stress you are under, but conveying accurate and precise information is the most crucial thing you can do to ensure you receive attention to your emergency."

Dejarlais likes being outside or on his boat, and hunting. He also has interests in fishing, weather watching, astronomy and hunting.