Officer Down Memorial Podcast

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Officer Down Memorial Podcast

NEVER FORGOTTEN This podcast will give you a glimpse of what law enforcement officers and their families go through every day to help keep our communities safe.

Sheriff Scott Rose shares the stories of how these men and women heroically lost their lives in the Line of Duty - remembering their service, their sacrifice, their families, and honoring these fallen heroes. In each episode of the Officer Down Memorial Podcast, Sheriff Scott Rose shares the stories of how these men and women heroically lost their lives in the Line of Duty. These stories take you

back in time to the era and the community where we lost these heroes. You'll feel like you were there when we lost this officer. These stories are real and raw. Our mission is to ensure their sacrifice is never forgotten, and to show how our men and women who serve in law enforcement are true heroes every day they put on the badge. These podcasts are produced in a story telling format sharing these officer's stories based on input from the men and women who served with them and the families who were left behind. Older stories are written using historical documents and newspaper records. The goal of this program is to honor these fallen heroes, to remember their service, to always support the families they left behind, and to never forget their sacrifice.

* CONTENT WARNING * Some of these stories contain strong language and violent adult content, which may be upsetting to some listeners. Listener discretion is advised.

09/25/2025

REMEMBERING JEROME (JERRY) HAAF
EOW - SEPT 25, 1992

33 years ago today it was the start of the last weekend of the month in Minneapolis Minnesota. The city would wake to the news that Officer Haaf had been murdered. They would later learn it was a gang ordered murder of a cop in retaliation for an alleged assault of an elderly black man on a bus. Jerry was 53 years old at the time, had nothing to do with the incident, and had no prior contacts with his executioners - he was shot and killed in a downtown Pizza Restaurant simply because he was a cop. His murder was followed by the subsequent murder of an alleged informant, leading to a community afraid to serve on the jury, even defendents afraid to testify concerned the police won't be able to protect them from the Vice Lords and their leader Sharif Willis. Willis was implicated in Jerry's murder but never indicted. Jerry's story tells of a series of events that left this community stunned, saddened, and scared. Jerry had served for 30 years in Minneapolis, and was only months away from retirement.

Please check out his memorial page and learn more about this hero. There you will see photos and can also listen to his story, told by officers who were there and his family who were left behind. Together we can honor his service and sacrifice and ensure he is never forgotten!

This episode is sponsored by our friends at Law Enforcement Labor Services, Inc.

WARNING - This podcast may contain strong language and disturbing content that may be disturbing to some listeners. If you or someone you know is struggling with suicidal thoughts, help is available 24/7 from the National Su***de Prevention Lifeline by calling 988 on your cell phone or 1-800-273-TALK. Help is just a phone call away.

09/24/2025

THE MICHAEL LAWRENCE STORY
EOW - Dec 30th, 1925

This morning we released Sergeant Lawrence's story from the Minneapolis Police Department. In 1925 the city of Minneapolis was home to around 420,000 citizens during a post WW1 era that was defined by the jazz age and prohibition. The month of december had been a violent one in the city with the murder of a former U of M football star, a gun battle in a drug store, and a doctor kidnapping among other violent crimes. 58 year old Sergeant Michael Lawrence, a 26 year veteran of MPD, was the leader of the 4th Precinct Gun Squad - a team dispatched to violent crimes where weapons were involved. This night Sergeant Lawrence and his team would go out on the hunt for a shooter who had just shot a grocery store owner in NW Minneapolis. The night would end with three shot, and two dead, including the murder of this MPD veteran who was planning and looking forward to his upcoming retirement.

Sergeant lawrence was survived by his wife and four children, and was the 14th Minneapolis Officer to fall in the line of duty.

This episode is sponsored by our friends at Law Enforcement Labor Services, Inc.

You can listen to his story and see photos on his memorial page at: https://officerdownmemorialpodcast.com/michael-lawrence

WARNING: Violent content and strong language may be disturbing to some listeners. Listener discretion advised.

09/16/2025

THE MICHAEL LAWRENCE STORY
EOW - Dec 30th, 1925

Our next fallen hero story takes us back to 1925 with Sergeant Michael Lawrence from the Minneapolis Police Department. It was an interesting time in our history - a time defined by the Jazz age and Prohibition, bootleggers and moonshining. Sergeant Lawrence lead Minneapolis PD's 4th Precinct Gun Squad and was called to assist with a manhunt after a grocery store hold up and shooting. The suspect had recently been released from Stillwater Prison for a previous armed robbery conviction. In the end, the store owner was shot and two officers were shot - all would survive except for Sergeant Lawrence.

This story will be released October 1st and is sponsored by Law Enforcement Labor Services, Inc..

09/10/2025

REMEMBERING LORING GUENTHER
EOW - 09/10/2013

Today we take time to remember a local law enforcement leader everyone in this small rural county knew and loved. Loring Guenther moved to this community to make a difference, and he left a positive impact on everyone he ever came into contact with. A series of office scandals and indiscretions, along with a new Sheriff who's leadership style did not align with Loring's, created a toxic work environment, an environment that Loring felt was his responsibility to protect his staff from. Loring had a big heart and loved his staff. He was always there for everyone during this time and in the end, the stress was more than his big heart could handle. This is a story about cumulative stress and the importance of law enforcement leaders creating healthy working cultures for their staff, who already take on an incredible amount of stress with this career. This is a story about one of Scott Rose's best friends at work, one of the stories that influenced him to start this podcast.

Please take a few minutes to look at his memorial page and learn more about this hero. There you will see photos and can also listen to his story, told by deputies who were there and his wife Deb who were left behind. Together we can honor his service and sacrifice and ensure he is never forgotten!

This episode is sponsored by our friends at Law Enforcement Labor Services, Inc..

https://www.officerdownmemorialpodcast.com/loring-guenther

WARNING - This podcast may contain strong language and disturbing content that may be disturbing to some listeners. If you or someone you know is struggling with suicidal thoughts, help is available 24/7 from the National Su***de Prevention Lifeline by calling 988 on your cell phone or 1-800-273-TALK. Help is just a phone call away.

09/08/2025

NATIONAL SU***DE PREVENTION MONTH
REMEMBERING SERGEANT CORY SLIFKO
EOW Nov 5th, 2019

September is National Su***de Prevention Month, and our most downloaded episode of the podcast is the Cory Slifko Story, who we lost to su***de almost 6 years ago in Minnesota.

Cory was a dedicated cop who quickly worked his way up the ranks and excelled in every position he earned. He was a cops cop - first one to offer to help, first through the door, and the one guy every cop wanted as his backup. If you needed help, he was there for you 24/7. He was that cop that always gave 110%, one that every Chief and Sheriff wanted to hire.

On the outside, he had an amazing career, a beautiful wife, and two amazing kids he absolutely adored. They lived in a beautiful home in a great neighborhood. On the outside, it looked like he was living the dream. On the inside Cory was living a nightmare - struggling with PTSD from the terrible things he couldn't unsee and chronic pain from multiple injuries at work - all cumulating to the point where it became too much for him to bare.

In his story, his wife, friends, and fellow officers help tell his story and talk about the importance of mental heath awareness and law enforcement. Please check out his memorial page, listen to his story, and share with family and friends. Together we all can help ensure Cory's service and sacrifice is never forgotten!

https://www.officerdownmemorialpodcast.com/cory-slifko

To date we've lost 59 officers to su***de in the United States in 2025. There is a ton of support out there if you or someone you know is struggling. Help is available 24/7 from the National Su***de Prevention Lifeline by calling 988 on your cell phone or 1-800-273-TALK. Help is always just a phone call away.

09/07/2025

REMEMBERING JOHN SCHNEIDER
EOW - Sept 7th, 1980

Today we remember Investigator John Schneider from the Winona County Sheriff's Office. It was a warm Sunday morning 45 years ago in the river town of Winona Minnesota. 54 year old John Schneider had been promoted to Investigator and was 22 years into his career with the Sheriff's Office. He grew up in Winona, had served in the US Marine Corps, and was well respected in the community. John was only a couple years from retirement when he responded to a domestic disturbance with an armed man. He was shot as they forced their way into the home to save the life of a 15-month-old baby. The baby survived, John did not. He left behind his wife, son, daughter, and his beloved grandson. John was Winona County's first and only deputy fallen in the line of duty.

Please take the time to listen and learn about this hero. Together we can show his family our suppport by sharing his story and helping to ensure his service and sacrifice is never forgotten.

This episode is sponsored by our friends at Law Enforcement Labor Services, Inc.

WARNING: Violent Content and strong language may be disturbing to some listeners.

09/06/2025

REMEMBERING JASON MEYER
EOW - Sept 6th, 1999

Friends and family referred to him as a gentle giant. He loved being an officer and helping people in the community. He was working part-time and attending college to earn his degree which would allow him to work full-time doing what he was meant to do, when his calling as an officer was cut short one holiday weekend in 1999.

Yo can learn more about this hero by clicking the link below to his memorial page.

This episode is sponsored by our friends at Law Enforcement Labor Services, Inc.

09/04/2025

REMEMBERING SHERIFF DON EUSTICE
EOW - Sept 4th, 1976

A local Sheriff who grew up in the community and committed his career to helping the youth of his county, Sheriff Don Eustice served his entire law enforcement career in Waseca County after serving our country in the United States Navy from 1946 to 1948. In a time in the 70's where being Sheriff involved the entire family, Don's family tells the stories of growing up Sheriffs' sons and daughters. Sheriff Eustice, who actually was usually unarmed, was loved in this community and had always been able to talk down every situation - except this time. While trying to help someone struggling who he'd known his entire life, his life was violently cut short leaving behind a stunned community, a beloved wife, and 9 children - all left to figure out how to move on without their beloved Sheriff, husband, and father.

We lost this hero 49 years ago today. You can learn more about Sheriff Eustice and how his loss impacted his family and his community on his memorial page at: https://www.officerdownmemorialpodcast.com/don-eustice

This episode is sponsored by our friends at Law Enforcement Labor Services, Inc.

WARNING - Strong language and violent content may be disturbing to some listeners. If you or someone you know is struggling, help is available 24/7 from the National Crisis Line by calling 988 on your cell phone or 1-800-273-TALK. Help is just a phone call away.

08/28/2025

Our thoughts and prayers go out to all the children and families affected by the tragic mass shooting in Minneapolis yesterday. Please remember to keep the law enforcement officers, first responders, and dispatchers who responded and helped with this horrific scene in your thoughts and prayers as well. These brave men and women risk all when we need them the most and they see things nobody should ever have to see and hear – things they can never unsee and unhear. This incident serves as another dark reminder of how important it is to report concerning behavior and threatening media posts to your local law enforcement. There are lots of people struggling with mental health issues. Our goal, in addition to keeping our public safe, is to identify those struggling and try to get them the help they need.

If you see something, say something. You can always remain anonymous.

Please have a safe and happy Labor Day weekend everyone!

Your Sheriff,

Scott

08/08/2025

THE CURT FELT STORY
EOW 06/29/1978

This hero's story is available online now to listen to on his memorial page https://officerdownmemorialpodcast.com/curt-felt or anywhere you listen to podcasts. Curt paid the ultimate sacrifice after being shot while in the offices of the Sheriff's Office he served - just 7 months after being married. His wife Donna and fellow deputy Bill Ingebrigtsen (Retired Douglas County Sheriff and MN Senator) help us tell this hero's story.

This episode is sponsored by our friends at Law Enforcement Labor Services, Inc.

WARNING: Violent content and strong language may be disturbing to some listeners. Listener discretion advised.

08/06/2025

THE CURT FELT STORY
EOW 06/29/1978

Coming this Friday, we'll share the story of 23 year old Curtis Alan Felt who grew up in the community he was serving in Douglas County in West central Minnesota. Curt didn't have family in law enforcement. He wasn't carrying on a family tradition. He simply loved this community he grew up in and felt the calling to do his part to help make it a little better, a little safer for his family and friends. His story is a stark reminder of the risks the men and women who serve take on every day they put on the badge. His murder also reminded residents that violence against law enforcement can happen anywhere - even in small rural communities like Douglas County. This young hero paid the ultimate sacrifice after being shot while in the offices of the Sheriff's Office - just 7 months after being married. His wife Donna and fellow deputy Bill Ingebrigtsen (Retired Douglas County Sheriff and MN Senator) help us tell this hero's story.

This episode will be available to listen to on his memorial page on Friday August 8th. https://officerdownmemorialpodcast.com/curt-felt

This episode is sponsored by our friends at Law Enforcement Labor Services, Inc.

WARNING: Violent content and strong language may be disturbing to some listeners. Listener discretion advised.

07/28/2025

THE CURT FELT STORY
EOW 06/29/1978

The next fallen hero story being featured on the podcast goes back to 1978 in west central Minnesota with the murder of 23 year old Douglas County Deputy Curtis Alan Felt. This story tells of a tragic day in Alexandria Minnesota that reminded locals that violence against law enforcement can happen anywhere - even in small rural communities like this. Curt was proud to serve in the community he grew up in. Dedicated to serving in the community he grew up in, this young hero paid the ultimate sacrifice after being shot on a Thursday afternoon in the Douglas County Sheriff's Office - just 7 months after being married to the love of his life, Donna.

This hero's story will be released the week of August 6th and is presented with the help of our friends at Law Enforcement Labor Services, Inc..

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Kasson, MN
55944

Telephone

+15076347806

Website

http://www.officerdownmemorialpodcast.com/

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