Officer Down Memorial Podcast

01/01/2026

5 years, over 50 fallen hero stories, and downloads in all 50 states and over 60 countries. To the familes and agencies who trusted us to share their stories this past year...Thank You! It's always such an honor to work with these amazing survivor families and so humbling to learn about their fallen heroes. If you have a fallen hero story you think should be told, please reach out to us on the website at www.officerdownmemorialpodcast.com. We also want to thank Law Enforcement Labor Services, Inc. for supporting the project and sponsoring our Minnesota stories.

Last but not least, thank you to all of you who follow and subscribe to the podcast and support our mission. We appreciate your love and support and thank you for sharing our mission.

Happy New Year from the Officer Down Memorial Podcast!

12/30/2025

REMEMBERING OLE HAVEY
EOW 12/30/1905

Officials were concerned about a recent rash of burglaries throughout the area. Hayfield On Dec 30th, City Marshal Ole Havey interupted a suspect burglarizing a store on Main Street. A deadly shooting, a man hunt, an escape from custody, and finally a conviction followed, leaving this community stunned and saddened by the senseless murder of this family man.

Learn more about this hero here: https://officerdownmemorialpodcast.com/ole-havey

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 Su***de Prevention Lifeline by calling 988 on your cell phone or 1-800-273-TALK. Help is just a phone call away.

12/30/2025

REMEMBERING SHAWN SCHNEIDER
EOW 12/30/2011

On December 19th 2011, in the small river town of Lake City Minnesota, Officer Shawn Schneider responded to a domestic between a troubled young veteran and his girlfriend. The caller reported the male suspect was armed. Shawn responded and saved the life of the young lady, getting her out of the home and to safety before getting shot by the suspect. 11 days later, Shawn died from his injuries at St Mary's Hospital in Rochester. Shawn was a true hero, loved by his community, and missed by all.

You can learn more about Shawn and his amazing family and friends on his memorial page: https://officerdownmemorialpodcast.com/shawn-schneider

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 Su***de Prevention Lifeline by calling 988 on your cell phone or 1-800-273-TALK. Help is just a phone call away.

12/30/2025

REMEMBERING MICHAEL LAWRENCE
EOW 12/30/1925

100 years ago today, 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 two 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.

You can learn more about this hero at: https://officerdownmemorialpodcast.com/michael-lawrence

Thank you Law Enforcement Labor Services, Inc. for sponsoring these important stories.

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

12/24/2025

We know this time of year can be a challenge for survivor families and friends who've lost heroes. Please know we are here for you, we appreciate you, and we will never forget your hero's sacrifice! Take time this year to remember and share the blessed memories that no one can take from you, and know your fallen hero is watching over you. God Bless and Merry Christmas from the Officer Down Memorial Podcast and our sponsor Law Enforcement Labor Services, Inc..

12/23/2025

REMEMBERING CHIEF NEIL JOHNSON

Thomas Underwood was ordered by the courts to stay away from his estranged wife and young daughter. It was almost Christmas. Armed and angry that afternoon, Thomas stormed into the home where his family was staying. Marshal Johnson’s response likely saved many lives that day, and cost him his own. It was 74 years sgo today he died in the line of duty leaving behind his wife and two sons.

You can listen to his story here: https://officerdownmemorialpodcast.com/neil-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 Su***de Prevention Lifeline by calling 988 on your cell phone or 1-800-273-TALK. Help is just a phone call away.

12/18/2025

I was honored to be asked to speak at the Lawson Badge Pinning Ceremony for the Itasca County Sheriff's Office today. 5 years ago today we released the Robert (Beefy) Lawson Story. I never imagined 5 years to the day, I would be in Itasca County meeting all the amazing cops and family who helped tell Beefy's story, and watching Beefy's badge #703 be "un-retired" and pinned on their newest patrol deputy, Beefy's grandson DJ. The community center was full of family and locals there to remember and honor Beefy. So many amazing people. Such an amazing community. Great job Sheriff Joe Dasovich! I can think of no better way to remember and honor this fallen hero then to allow his legacy of kindless and service to continue through the service of his grandson. Lots of smiles, tears, and stories shared. Such an amazing day. Never Forgotten! 🖤💙🖤 Scott

The legacy of badge #703 lives on. Robert 'Beefy' Lawson died in the line of duty trying to protect two little kids back in 1981. His badge was retired. But now, it's been given to his grandson, DJ Roberts, a current deputy with Itasca County.

12/16/2025

REMEMBERING OFFICER MIKE HOGAN
​EOW - Dec 15th, 1989

43 year old Mike Hogan grew up in Hutchinson Minnesota, served his country in Vietnam after high school, and returned to his home town to serve as a police officer. When he wasn't patrolling or coaching at the high school, he was spending time with his wife and three kids. Mike loved being a cop, loved his country, loved this community, and loved his family. On a bitterly cold Friday night in December, Mike would get dispatched to a shoplifting complaint at the JC Penny store in the local mall. A misdemeanor shoplifting call ended in Mike getting murdered by an ex-con, followed by a series of multi-county crimes including a carjacking, 3 kidnappings, a r**e, a high speed pursuit, and a standoff with hostages before Mike's murderer would finally be taken into custody. His murder left his family devastated, an agency in mourning, and this normally quiet, rural community in shock at the loss of this local hero.

​​It was 36 years ago today we lost this hero. You can learn more about his story on his memorial page at: https://officerdownmemorialpodcast.com/mike-hogan

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. 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.

12/04/2025

REMEMBERING MATHEW HAMILTON
EOW 12/03/1874

It was December 3rd, 1874. The beginning of the 4th coldest December Minnesotan’s had ever experienced. The country was in the last few years of the Reconstruction Era following the American Civil War, and Republican President Ulysses S. Grant was fighting for the protection of African Americans in the South through the use of the Enforcement Acts passed by Congress. Christmas was just a few weeks away. The depression had been going on for about a year, but the railroad business was strong, especially in Winona MN thanks to the Winona St. Peter Railroad.

Special Officer Mathew Hamilton was patrolling the depot, when he came up against a drunk patron who wasn't going to go peacefully....he would lose life making Officer Hamilton Minnesota’s first fallen officer.

This was the first fallen officer story on the podcast and is sponsored by our friends at Law Enforcement Labor Services, Inc.

Click the link to listen to this hero’s story:

12/01/2025

THE LEO PAVLAK STORY
​EOW - Aug 30th, 1933

39 year old Leo Pavlak joined the South Saint Paul Police Department at the height of the Great Depression and in what would be the last year of Prohibition in the country. South St. Paul was a major center for the livestock and meatpacking industry, at times even bigger than Chicago's famed stockyards in terms of annual animal handling. The enormous volume of business meant a substantial amount of money changed hands daily, especially on payroll days. Officers Leo Pavlak and John Yeaman were assigned to es**rt two messengers transporting over $30,000 (worth nearly $750,000 in 2025) in payroll money and were confronted by members of the Ma Barker-Karpis Gang. The brutal morning shootout resulted in both officers being shot and a nationwide manhunt for the killers. Leo was shot and killed in front of the Post Office leaving behind his young wife Pauline, his 9 year old son Robert, and his 11 year old daughter Eleanor.

Although Leo’s life was tragically cut short, his legacy of service and dedication to law enforcement has endured for nearly a century. Three generations of his family have continued that commitment of serving in law enforcement within the Twin Cities metro area. With the support of the South Saint Paul Police Department and the Pavlak family, we share his story—honoring the remarkable legacy of Patrolman Leo Pavlak and the enduring influence his memory holds for those who wear the badge.

Click here to listen to this hero’s story: https://officerdownmemorialpodcast.com/leo-pavlak

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.

11/30/2025

This weekend we remember Officer Thomas Decker. He was a known prankster in his department. Everyone called him Tommy. He showed everyone he came in contact with respect and compassion regardless of the circumstances. 13 years ago Tommy responded with his partner to do a welfare check to check on a suicidal subject. Minutes after going out on scene, Tommy was shot and killed outside Winner’s Bar in Cold Spring Minnesota. The hunt for his killer went on for months and when the case was finally closed, it left locals with more questions than answers, and a wife and 4 children without their husband, father, and hero.

This episode is sponsored by our friends at Law Enforcement Labor Services, Inc. You can listen to it here: https://officerdownmemorialpodcast.com/thomas-decker

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 Su***de Prevention Lifeline by calling 988 on your cell phone or 1-800-273-TALK. Help is just a phone call away.d

11/27/2025

Today is a day to be thankful. Thankful for those willing to put on the badge and risk so much for our safety. Thankful for those families supporting those heroes protecting our families and our communities. We also know there are some law enforcement families who have an empty space at the table, and holidays like this can be difficult. It is our hope that you know how much we appreciate you and the sacrifices made by you and your fallen hero. We will continue to do our part to make sure your hero's service and sacrifice is never forgotten.