Burnsville first responders mourned

The Burnsville Police Honor Guard carried the casket of one of two fallen officers in front of family outside Ballad-Sunder Funeral and Cremation in Jordan.

AARON LAVINSKY, Star Tribune

John van Vliet and partner Catherine Smith, of Jordan were overcome with emotion outside Ballad-Sunder Funeral and Cremation. “These guys were just doing their job,” said van Vliet.

AARON LAVINSKY, Star Tribune

Burnsville Police Officer Pete Ekenberg stood at attention across from Ballad-Sunder Funeral and Cremation in Jordan, Minn.

AARON LAVINSKY, Star Tribune

Ruth and Paul Larsen, of Lakeville, held signs supporting law enforcement. “They don’t know if they’re coming home,” said Paul of police when they go to work everyday. “You gotta know they’re exceptional people.”

AARON LAVINSKY, Star Tribune

Taylor Jacobs, center, who was with Burnsville Police for 10 years, embraced members of the department’s honor guard. “They’re the best men in the world,” said Jacobs of his fellow officers. “It was an honor to work with all of them.”

AARON LAVINSKY, Star Tribune

Hearses carrying the remains of two fallen police officers were directed into the parking lot outside Ballad-Sunder Funeral and Cremation.

AARON LAVINSKY, Star Tribune

People watched the processional of two fallen officers.

AARON LAVINSKY, Star Tribune

Tears ran down the face of a woman, who didn’t wish to be identified, across from Ballad-Sunder Funeral and Cremation.

AARON LAVINSKY, Star Tribune

A processional for officers Paul Elmstrand and Matthew Ruge, who were killed on Sunday in a shooting in Burnsville, along with a paramedic, was held between the Hennepin County Medical Examiner’s Office and the funeral home in Jordan.

AARON LAVINSKY, Star Tribune

Jacob Swartout, a Sergeant with Savage Police, bumps his fist against the bumper of a fallen officer’s squad car during a vigil Tuesday evening outside the Burnsville Police Station. “The hardest thing is not being there at the time — being able to help,” Swartout said of Sunday morning’s shooting call.

AARON LAVINSKY, Star Tribune

Around two hundred vigil-goers listened to Burnsville Mayor Elizabeth Kautz speak outside the Burnsville Police Station.

AARON LAVINSKY, Star Tribune

A vigil-goer bows their head in prayer beside an ambulance outside the Burnsville Police Station during a vigil Tuesday evening.

AARON LAVINSKY, Star Tribune

Eric Heuer, district chief with North Memorial Ambulance, looks on while waiting to place flowers during a vigil outside the Burnsville Police Station.

AARON LAVINSKY, Star Tribune

Vigil-goers pray around the squad car of a fallen officer outside the Burnsville Police Station.

AARON LAVINSKY, Star Tribune

Vigil-goers leave notes for Burnsville first responders outside the Burnsville Police Station.

AARON LAVINSKY, Star Tribune