Honoring

Deputy Sheriff Rondald Bates

Harris County Sheriff's Office, Texas

EOW: Feb. 10, 2024 | Age: 62 | Tour: 31 Years

Deputy Sheriff Rondald Bates was killed in a vehicle crash while en route to the Harris County jail at 10:00 p.m. After finishing an overtime assignment, Deputy Bates was traveling on Travis Street when he lost control of his vehicle and struck a tree near Richmond Avenue in Houston. He was transported to the Ben Taub Hospital where he succumbed to his injuries. Deputy Bates had served with the Harris County Sheriff's Office for 31 years. He is survived by his wife and two children.

Honoring

Sergeant Nevada Krinkee

Sheridan Police Department, Wyoming

EOW: Feb. 13, 2024 | Age: 33 | Tour: 6 Years

Sergeant Nevada Krinkee was shot and killed while serving a trespass warning near 5th Street and Val Vista Street in Sheridan. Sergeant Krinkee was transported to Sheridan Memorial Hospital where he succumbed to his wounds. The subject, who had a lengthy criminal record, fled and barricaded himself inside a residence. After a 30-hour standoff, the subject refused to surrender, attempted to flee, and was shot and killed. Sergeant Krinkee was a United States Army veteran and had served with the Sheridan Police Department for over six years. He is survived by his wife, who also served with the Sheridan Police Department, and a daughter.

Honoring

Deputy Sheriff Robert John Leonard

Meigs County Sheriff's Office, Tennessee

EOW: Feb. 14, 2024 | Age: 35 | Tour: 2 Months

Deputy Sheriff R.J. Leonard died in a single-vehicle crash into the Tennessee River off the Blythe Ferry Boat Ramp in Birchwood. Deputy Leonard was at home when he took the call relating to a disturbance near the Highway 60 Bridge in Birchwood. He arrived at the scene at about 9:48 p.m. and, at 10:15 pm, radioed that he had arrested a female subject and was transporting her to the Meigs County Jail. A few moments later, dispatchers received an unclear transmission where Deputy Leonard mentioned "water." The area is remote and rural, and it is difficult for cellphone signals and other radio traffic to go through. When he failed to respond to a status check, a search began. The next day, his patrol car was found upside down in the water with the female subject in the back. His window was rolled down, and he was not in the vehicle. His body was recovered at 6:30 p.m. on February 15, 2024. Deputy Leonard had served with the Meigs County Sheriff's Office for two months. He is survived by his wife, five children, mother, and two siblings.

Honoring

Police Officer Matthew Ruge

Burnsville Police Department, Minnesota

EOW: Feb. 18, 2024 | Age: 27 | Tour: 4 Years

Police Officer Matthew Ruge and Police Officer Paul Elmstrand were shot and killed after responding to a domestic incident in the 12600 block of 33rd Avenue at about 2:00 am. A man had taken several family members hostage, including seven children, and barricaded himself inside of the home. As officers and rescue personnel arrived at the scene, the man opened fire on them, fatally wounding Officer Elmstrand, Officer Ruge, and Burnsville Firefighter/Paramedic Adam Finseth. A Burnsville Police Department sergeant was also wounded. The man committed suicide and was found deceased in the home at about 8:00 am. The hostages were able to escape safely. Officer Ruge had served with the Burnsville Police Department for four years.

Honoring

Police Officer Paul Elmstrand

Burnsville Police Department, Minnesota

EOW: Feb. 18, 2024 | Age: 27 | Tour: 5 Years

Police Officer Paul Elmstrand and Police Officer Matthew Ruge were shot and killed after responding to a domestic incident in the 12600 block of 33rd Avenue at about 2:00 am. A man had taken several family members hostage, including seven children, and barricaded himself inside of the home. As officers and rescue personnel arrived at the scene, the man opened fire on them, fatally wounding Officer Elmstrand, Officer Ruge, and Burnsville Firefighter/Paramedic Adam Finseth. A Burnsville Police Department sergeant was also wounded. The man committed suicide and was found deceased in the home at about 8:00 am. The hostages were able to escape safely. Officer Elmstrand had served as a sworn officer with the Burnsville Police Department for five years and had previously served as a community service officer. He is survived by his wife and two young children.

Honoring

Firefighter Trevor Brown

Sterling Volunteer Fire Company, Virginia

EOW: Feb. 16, 2024 | Age: 45 | Tour: None

A Loudoun County firefighter killed in an explosion Friday night is being remembered as a dedicated dad and volunteer. Trevor Brown, 45, a member of Sterling Volunteer Fire Company, was killed and other firefighters were injured in a catastrophic explosion as they were investigating a gas leak in a house. Four firefighters remained hospitalized Monday morning, WTTG reported. Brown was married with three children and had been affiliated with the Loudoun County Combined Fire and Rescue System since 2016. "Anytime you talk to Trevor, there’s no way you’re not going to talk to him and walk away not knowing everything that’s going on with his kids. He was just a great dad. He was born to be a dad. We’ve had long discussions and they always evolved around what his kids were doing or how his kids were progressing in life and things of that nature," Jacob Ferrara, Brown's friend, told reporters. "He just believed in service, he believed in giving back to the community. He was a volunteer firefighter, he didn’t have to do that, he wanted to do that because he felt an obligation to serve." On Saturday, Loudoun County Fire and Rescue Chief Keith Johnson said: "We lost a family member. We lost one of our own. As a fire chief, this is the worst thing we could possibly do." Firefighters called to the home by a resident smelling gas discovered a 500-gallon underground propane tank with a leak on the side of the residence. People as far away as Montgomery County, MD reported hearing the explosion.

Honoring

Firefighter/paramedic Adam Finseth

Savage Fire Department, Minnesota

EOW: Feb. 18, 2024 | Age: 40 | Tour: None

The city of Burnsville has identified two police officers and one paramedic who were fatally shot responding to a domestic abuse call Sunday morning, as well as an injured officer. Burnsville Police Officers Paul Elmstrand and Matthew Ruge and Burnsville firefighter/paramedic Adam Finseth were fatally shot on the 12000 block of 33rd Avenue in Burnsville around 5:30 a.m. The suspect is also dead after a standoff that took place in the home, where there were also seven children present. The city said in a press release that family members exited the home and are safe. According to the city, Elmstrand, 27, has been with the Burnsville Police Department since 2017. He was promoted from community service officer to officer in 2019, and served with the department's mobile command staff, peer team, Honor Guard and field training unit. Ruge, also 27, joined the Burnsville Police Department in 2020 and was on the department's crisis negotiations team and worked as a physical evidence officer. Finseth, 40, formerly served in the Army's Bravo Company 1st battalion 327th Infantry during Operation Iraqi Freedom, according to his LinkedIn page. He was hired in Burnsville in 2019. Sgt. Adam Medlicott was taken to the hospital with injuries and is expected to survive, according to the city. Gov. Tim Walz ordered flags be flown at half staff starting Monday to honor the victims.

Honoring

Trooper First Class Chase Redner

Georgia State Patrol, Georgia

EOW: Feb. 20, 2024 | Age: 31 | Tour: 6 Years

Trooper First Class Chase Redner was struck and killed while investigating a fatal pedestrian crash scene at Interstate 75 North near Mt. Zion Boulevard in Morrow. At 10:30 p.m. on February 19, 2024, a construction worker died after being struck by a vehicle while setting up a work zone. Trooper Redner was investigating the collision site and was standing outside his patrol cruiser at 12:30 a.m. when he was hit by a passing vehicle. He was transported to Grady Memorial Hospital where he died from his injuries. Trooper Redner had served with the Georgia State Patrol for over six years. He is survived by his mother and fiancée.

Honoring

Battalion Chief John Garrow

Philadelphia Fire Department

EOW: Feb. 19, 2024 | Age: None | Tour: 32 Years

A veteran Philadelphia Fire Department Battalion Chief died Monday after suffering a medical emergency on duty. Battalion Chief John Garrow had been with the department for 32 years, officials announced on Facebook Tuesday evening. "We extend our deepest condolences to his families - in and out of the firehouse. Rest in Peace, Chief," officials wrote.

Honoring

Paramedic Shaney R. Warehime

Baltimore City Fire Department, Maryland

EOW: Feb. 11, 2024 | Age: 38 | Tour: None

A Baltimore Fire Department paramedic died this week after being hospitalized Sunday when she stopped breathing, according to police. Funeral arrangements for Shaney Warehime, a 38-year-old who joined the department in September of 2018, are forthcoming, the fire agency said in a Thursday announcement on social media that she had died.