By Mara H. Gottfried
Pioneer Press
BURNSVILLE, Minn. 鈥� A memorial service for 鈥�the darkest day鈥� in Burnsville police and fire department history is expected to draw thousands of people and officials asked the public on Monday to consider other viewing options.
Grace Church will provide a live broadcast on of the 11 a.m. Wednesday memorial service in Eden Prairie for Burnsville officers .
Prince of Peace Lutheran Church will open their doors in Burnsville as a place where people can gather and watch the livestream together. The public is also encouraged to line the procession route after the service, which will go from Grace Church to Burnsville, past Burnsville Fire Station No. 2, the Burnsville police station and Prince of Peace Church. The route can be viewed
鈥淯nprecedented attendance鈥� is expected for the memorial service at Grace Church, said Howie Padilla, Minnesota Department of Public Safety spokesman. At the families鈥� wishes, family and public safety personnel will be seated first.
Grace Church seats thousands, but 鈥測ou have to understand how many law enforcement (agencies) 鈥� from across the country are reaching out to us, how many thousands of firefighters and 鈥� how many paramedics are reaching out to us wanting to show love,鈥� Padilla said. 鈥溾�� Thousands of seats are being taken up right away.鈥�
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鈥榃orlds were completely shattered鈥�
A as police were negotiating with him after responding to his residence regarding an alleged sexual assault, according to a Minnesota Bureau Criminal Apprehension . He barricaded himself in the home with seven children, the BCA has said.
鈥淭o say that it鈥檚 been an extremely difficult week is an understatement,鈥� Burnsville Police Chief Tanya Schwartz said Monday, her first time speaking at a press conference since the day of the killings. 鈥淥n Feb. 18, our worlds were completely shattered. It was the darkest day in our police and fire department history and it is still nearly impossible for us to comprehend.鈥�
Also indescribable 鈥渋s the love and the solidarity that has surrounded us,鈥� Schwartz said. 鈥淔rom the countless messages of condolences to the heartfelt gestures of kindness, your outpouring of support has been nothing less than overwhelming.鈥�
Burnsville Fire Chief B.J. Jungmann asked that people continue to keep the families of Finseth, Elmstrand and Ruge in their thoughts and prayers 鈥渁s they are going through the hardest times of their life right now.鈥�
Schwartz also requested prayers for the 鈥渇ull recovery and healing鈥� of Burnsville Sgt. Adam Medlicott, also shot by the gunman. He was released from the hospital a week ago and continues to recover.
Two police squads and an ambulance have been parked in front of Burnsville City Hall, and are .
鈥淚n our own ways, and in our own times, we come here to feel connected to Matt and Adam and Paul,鈥� Schwartz said. 鈥淲e pray here and we cry, and we embrace and we are trying to heal our broken hearts in this space.鈥�
Burnsville City Hall will be closed on Wednesday, to allow staff to honor their colleagues, and city services will resume Thursday. Residents can visit any Dakota County Service Center for early voting services.
The Dakota County Sheriff鈥檚 Office will close its gun permit and civil windows on Wednesday, reopening Thursday, also to allow staff to attend the memorial service.
Burnsville officers and firefighter memorial
Live video and audio of the 11 a.m. Wednesday鈥荣 memorial service will be available at and .
Doors will open at 9:30 a.m. Wednesday at Prince of Peace Lutheran Church, 13801 Fairview Drive in Burnsville.
The procession route can be viewed on the city of Burnsville鈥檚 website, .
Traffic delays and congestion should be expected around Grace Church, 9301 Eden Prairie Road in Eden Prairie. For members of the public who want to attempt to attend the memorial service in person, overflow parking and bus transportation will be provided at Miller Park and Staring Lake Park, both in Eden Prairie, starting at 9 a.m. and until the church is at capacity.
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