Officer Down Memorial Podcast

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 Older stories are written using historical documents and newspaper records.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.

I've been a little delayed releasing the next fallen hero story because it is a complicated one and I'm trying to get al...
11/06/2025

I've been a little delayed releasing the next fallen hero story because it is a complicated one and I'm trying to get all the facts straight. South St Paul Police Officer Leo Pavlak was a newly hired officer for the department back in 1933. This was a challenging time in our state and country's history - years of prohibition, the Great Depression, and high unemployment left folks struggling in this community. St. Paul had become a refuge for many of the most notorious gangsters of modern American history. John Dillinger and Billie Frechette, Ma Barker and her boys, "Babyface" Nelson, Alvin Karpis, and others considered St. Paul a safe haven at some point during their "careers." Minnesota became an epicenter of illegal activity, with major crimes committed across the state.

In August of 1933, while SSPPD Officer Leo Pavlak and Officer John Yeaman were escorting bank messengers with one of the large stockyard's payroll, they were confronted by one of the countries most notorious crime families. This shootout left Officer Pavlak dead and Officer Yeaman fighting for his life.

The hunt for these killers took the FBI all over the country.

Officer Pavlak's service and sacrifice has influenced 3 generations of law enforcement officers within his family to serve careers with agencies in the Twin Cities metro area. His positive influence has impacted the lives of several generations of people in these communities - and he continues to make a difference today through his great great grandson who is currently serving in St Paul.

Coming up next week....it's the story of OFFICER LEO PAVLAK on www.officerdownmemorialpodcast.com sponsored by Law Enforcement Labor Services, Inc.

REMEMBERING JUDSON RANDALLEOW NOV 6, 1899Judson Randall moved to Freeborn County after serving as the youngest soldier i...
11/06/2025

REMEMBERING JUDSON RANDALL
EOW NOV 6, 1899

Judson Randall moved to Freeborn County after serving as the youngest soldier in Company D, 2nd Wisconsin Cavalry during the Civil War. He married Nancy Wiggins and they settled in Freeborn County MN. Judson became a successful wheat buyer and served part-time as a special policeman when the local Albert Lea chief needed extra help. During this time smallpox was the latest silent killer bringing fear to Americans. There were already over 1000 documented cases in MN with 28 deaths in the region. Law Enforcement became involved in helping assist health authorities, and an altercation and assault over the quarantining of an infected citizen ended in the death of this local hero and war veteran. https://www.officerdownmemorialpodcast.com/judson-randall
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This episode is sponsored by our friends at Law Enforcement Labor Services, Inc.

WARNING - May be disturbing to some listeners.

REMEMBERING CORY SLIFKOEOW - Nov 5th, 2019Sergeant Cory Slifko was a dedicated cop who quickly worked his way up the ran...
11/05/2025

REMEMBERING CORY SLIFKO
EOW - Nov 5th, 2019

Sergeant Cory Slifko was a dedicated cop who quickly worked his way up the ranks in the South Saint Paul Police Department and excelled in every position he earned. On the outside – he had a great career, a beautiful wife, two amazing kids he adored, and a beautiful home to raise his family in. On the inside – the stress, PTSD, and chronic pain from multiple injuries at work would become too much for him to bare.

Cory lost his battle with PTSD 6 years ago today. You can learn more about his story and his struggles on his memorial page at:
https://www.officerdownmemorialpodcast.com/cory-slifko

His story is an important one for all officers and officer families to listen to. We hope and pray that by listening to and sharing his story, it'll encourage those struggling to reach out for help. You are not alone and it's ok to NOT be ok!

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 with suicidal thoughts, help is available 24/7 from the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline by calling 988 on your cell phone or 1-800-273-TALK. Help is just a phone call away.

Honored and humbled to say the least. We've logged over 1.4 million views from our posts on Facebook since January 1st. ...
10/30/2025

Honored and humbled to say the least. We've logged over 1.4 million views from our posts on Facebook since January 1st. Thank you to Law Enforcement Labor Services, Inc. for their support and to everyone who's listened, read about, learned about, and shared the stories of our fallen heroes and these amazing survivor families. Together we are all helping to make sure their service and sacrifice is never forgotten! Scott 🖤💙🖤

REMEMBERING DEPUTY ROBERT LAWSONEOW - OCT 29TH, 1981Today we remember the service and sacrifice of Robert (Beefy) Lawson...
10/29/2025

REMEMBERING DEPUTY ROBERT LAWSON
EOW - OCT 29TH, 1981

Today we remember the service and sacrifice of Robert (Beefy) Lawson from the Itasca County Sheriff’s Office in northern Minnesota. Loved and respected by everyone in the area, he was always focused on helping kids in need in this tight knit Iron Range community. In 1981, Beefy was executed by a local career criminal named Audie Fox, while trying to protect Fox’s kids – his brutal murder starting an intense 18 hour standoff. Fellow officers, friends, and family help tell this hero’s story – how he was a great friend, father, and deputy. In December of 2020, the Officer Down Memorial Podcast worked with the Itasca County Sheriff's Office and the family of Beefy Lawson to produce this podcast and helped generate hundreds of letters sent by citizens to the Minnesota Department of Corrections (DOC) to keep Audie Fox behind bars. At his parole hearing on January 12th, 2021, Fox was given another 10 years by Commissioner Paul Schnell from the Minnesota Department of Corrections. In this podcast, family and friends explain why they believe Fox should never be released from prison.

This episode is sponsored by our friends at Law Enforcement Labor Services, Inc. and can be listened to here: https://www.officerdownmemorialpodcast.com/robert-lawson

WARNING: Violent content and strong language may be disturbing to some listeners. Listener discretion advised. If you or someone you know is struggling with suicidal thoughts, help is available 24/7 from the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline by calling 988 on your cell phone or 1-800-273-TALK. Help is just a phone call away.

This year, in addition to working with survivor families and agencies sharing the stories of their fallen heroes, I've a...
10/26/2025

This year, in addition to working with survivor families and agencies sharing the stories of their fallen heroes, I've also had the opportunity to present to a handful of organizations sharing the Loring Guenther Story and how we overcame a toxic work environment by changing leadership, building trust, and establishing wellness programs to ensure our staff is healthy both physically and mentally. In this presentation I talk about leadership and their responsibility to create a working environment where it is ok to NOT be ok. Also their responsibility to not make an already incredibly stressful calling even more stressful. Presented to law enforcement, fire, ems, corrections, and dispatchers - all with great feedback. If his story can just help one first responder, or change the direction or attitude of one leader, then we've done our job. Special thanks to Superior Lakes FOP for giving me the opportunity to share with their organization spring and fall this year!

It's humbling that Loring continues to help people over a decade after we lost him. 🖤💙🖤

You can learn more about Loring's story on his memorial page at:
https://www.officerdownmemorialpodcast.com/loring-guenther

OFFICER JASON B. MEYER MEMORIAL HIGHWAY DEDICATIONToday I had the opportunity to attend Officer Meyer's Memorial Highway...
10/21/2025

OFFICER JASON B. MEYER MEMORIAL HIGHWAY DEDICATION

Today I had the opportunity to attend Officer Meyer's Memorial Highway Dedication Ceremony in SE Minnesota. At 28 years old, Jason was a young officer who was considered a gentle giant to those who knew him. He had a great sense of humor and enjoyed everything outdoors. Jason lost his life doing what he loved to do - serving his community and helping people. You can learn more about this hero's story on his memorial page at: https://www.officerdownmemorialpodcast.com/jason-meyer

This memorial will help further ensure Officer Jason B. Meyer's service and sacrifice will never be forgotten! 🖤💙🖤

THIS FAMILY NEEDS YOUR HELP TO KEEP THIS COP KILLER IN PRISON - (We talked with the Minnesota DOC this morning and have ...
10/20/2025

THIS FAMILY NEEDS YOUR HELP TO KEEP THIS COP KILLER IN PRISON - (We talked with the Minnesota DOC this morning and have been told they would continue to accept letters of support thru the end of this week)

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Ronald Vernon Schneider (Offender #136421), the killer who murdered Robbinsdale Police Officer John Scanlon, is once again eligible for parole. For more than forty years the Scanlon Family, along with the support of the law enforcement community and friends, have fought successfully to ensure that John’s killer would not be paroled.

Officer Scanlon responded to a burglary call at an office building on Lakeland Ave. in Robbinsdale. After not finding a suspect in the building, John was checking the area in his patrol car while his partner checked the area on foot. After not finding anyone suspicious, John returned to the building and had two people walking towards him from the building. What John didn’t know is the man in front was being held hostage by Schneider walking behind him with a gun to his back. Schneider pointed away from the building telling John he (the suspect) ran that way. Schneider then reached into John’s driver’s window and shot him twice, striking him in his face and in the armpit area striking his aorta. John died from his injuries.

Sadly, the Scanlon Family will once again go through this nightmare. On November 12, 2025, Mr. Paul Schnell, Commissioner of the Department of Corrections will be holding a parole hearing for Mr. Schneiders 4-year continuance, this is a non-appearance hearing, the offender will not be present.

The Scanlon family needs our help! Please click here to find out how you can send an email or letter telling Minnesota to keep this killer in prison:
https://www.officerdownmemorialpodcast.com/support-the-scanlon-family

REMEMBERING EDWARD EADESEOW - OCT 8TH, 1962Today we remember Edward (Ed) Eades, a well respected veteran deputy who serv...
10/18/2025

REMEMBERING EDWARD EADES
EOW - OCT 8TH, 1962

Today we remember Edward (Ed) Eades, a well respected veteran deputy who served the small central Minnesota county of Meeker. This rural community, with it’s rolling hills, wooded areas, lakes and ponds, was considered quiet and safe. That sense of security was shattered one night in September of 1962. Deputy Eades was called in after a report of an officer shot in one of their small communities – the gunman was on the run. Ed and another local officer found the suspect vehicle and got into a shootout – resulting in Ed being shot in the face and hand. Even with his injuries he was able to get a description of the shooter and vehicle license plate out to neighboring agencies who would get into a third shootout and finally take this dangerous suspect into custody. Deputy Eades’ actions most certainly saved lives that night - actions that ended up costing him his life leaving behind his wife Edith, two adult children David and Darlene, a grandson Michael (Mike), and a stunned community. He was a true hero and is the first and only line of duty death in this rural Minnesota community.

You can listen and learn more about this hero on his memorial page at: https://www.officerdownmemorialpodcast.com/edward-eades

​This episode is sponsored by our friends at Law Enforcement Labor Services, Inc.
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WARNING: Violent content and strong language may be disturbing to some listeners. Listener discretion advised. If you or someone you know is struggling with suicidal thoughts, help is available 24/7 from the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline by calling 988 on your cell phone or 1-800-273-TALK. Help is just a phone call away.

CITY MARSHAL CHRISTIAN JOHNSONEOW Oct 5th, 1922Today we remember City Marshal Christian Johnson from Lyle Minnesota. Chr...
10/05/2025

CITY MARSHAL CHRISTIAN JOHNSON
EOW Oct 5th, 1922

Today we remember City Marshal Christian Johnson from Lyle Minnesota. Christian Johnson and his wife had settled with their family in the quiet community of Lyle. He was well liked in this town and beat 2 other candidates for the election of City Marshal. Less than two years later an alcohol fueled night would result in Chris’s murder at the hands of one of those candidates in front of the Commercial Hotel.

Listen to this hero's story on his memorial page here or whereever you listen to podcasts: https://www.officerdownmemorialpodcast.com/christian-johnson

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

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

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