MPR’s Mark Zdechlik reports on ceremony and funeral services for slain Minneapolis police officer Jerry Haaf, held at St. Helena Catholic Church.
Police officers from around the country gathered, along with representatives from fire departments in paramedic units, all wearing their dress uniforms. The south Minneapolis church is where 53 year-old Hoff was baptized, where the 30 year police veteran celebrated his first communion, where he was married…and it's where his friends and family said goodbye to the Minneapolis officer.
Officer Haff was shot in the back by two gang members while he taking a break at Pizza Shack restaurant in south Minneapolis.
Awarded:
1992 Northwest Broadcast News Association Award, award of merit in General Reporting - Large Market category
Transcripts
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[FOOTSTEPS, BAGPIPES PLAYING] MARK ZDECHLIK: Police officers from around the country gathered at Saint Helena Catholic Church in South Minneapolis. There were city cops, state troopers, sheriffs and their deputies. There were airport and park police along with representatives from fire departments and paramedic units, all wearing their dress uniforms. It's the church where 53-year-old Jerome Haaf was baptized, where the 30-year police veteran celebrated his first communion, and where he was married. And it's where his friends and family said goodbye to the Minneapolis officer.
SPEAKER: [INAUDIBLE] salute.
[CROWD SINGING "AMAZING GRACE"]
MARK ZDECHLIK: Hundreds of police officers organized in neat rows outside of the packed church listened to the funeral service. Haaf's widow Marilyn, along with close family friends, police officials, and civic leaders, sat inside, where Police Chaplain Reverend Terrence Hayes spoke of Haaf's tragic death.
TERRENCE HAYES: Why a man who has devoted 30 years of service to the people of this city should have his life so senselessly and so cowardly and so brutally taken from him simply because of the fact that he is a police officer in this city is something that cries out for understanding.
MARK ZDECHLIK: Hayes urged mourners to think about Haaf's life, not his killing. His partner Lieutenant Bud Emerson joked about Jerry Haaf's fondness for the Minnesota Twins, coffee, and fishing. Emerson described Haaf as a fair cop who treated people with respect, even when he was arresting them or issuing citations.
BUD EMERSON: Jerry was a happy man. He liked his job. He liked himself. And he made the least or the worst of us know that he liked them. Jerry earned many commendations. Several were for his ability with the mentally disturbed. He was a teacher. And he taught me patience and gentleness. When I read over the letters in his personal file from citizens, I saw the same words-- kindness, thoughtfulness, and professional-- over and over.
[POLICE SIREN]
MARK ZDECHLIK: After the funeral, a procession of nearly 1,000 squad cars representing hundreds of law enforcement agencies made its way from the church to Fort Snelling National Cemetery. Bloomington Police Sergeant Kevin Kelleher said it's a tradition for officers from far away to converge on the funeral of a fellow officer killed in the line of duty.
KEVIN KELLEHER: I was in Duluth last year or a couple of years ago when Gary Wilson was shot. And there were Mounties from Canada that came down in good numbers. And it warms you to be a member of the law enforcement community, just to see that what people do in a situation, such as a funeral like this. You feel that when you go to work. You feel the full backing of the numbers. It bolsters you to go on with your job. And I feel supported.
MARK ZDECHLIK: Haaf had planned on retiring from the force next year after three decades with the Minneapolis Police. Jerome Haaf was laid to rest with the honor of a color guard and a 21-gun salute. This is Mark Zdechlik, Minnesota Public Radio.
SPEAKER: Aim Fire.
[GUN SHOT]
Aim. Fire.
[GUN SHOT]
Aim. Fire.
[GUN SHOT]
Cease firing.