Burnsville remembers two officers and a firefighter/paramedic who were killed on Feb. 18, 2024, during an hours-long standoff

BURNSVILLE, Minn. — Three Burnsville first responders were honored on Feb. 18, two years after they were fatally shot during an hours-long standoff.

Burnsville police officers Matthew Ruge and Paul Elmstrand and firefighter/paramedic Adam Finseth were killed during the standoff on Feb. 18, 2024.

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To honor the three fallen first responders, Burnsville deemed Feb. 18 to be Public Safety Memorial Day, CBS Minnesota reported. Officials said municipal facilities were lit in blue and red overnight. The city flag will fly at half-staff throughout the day and three wreaths will be displayed at City Hall for 24 hours.

A reported sexual assault call brought first responders to the home of Shannon Gooden, setting off an hours-long standoff in which he fired more than 100 rounds at authorities before fatally shooting himself, investigators said.

Officers Ruge and Elmstrand were fatally wounded during the gunfire. Firefighter/Paramedic Finseth was providing aid to a wounded officer when he was killed.

Gooden’s on-and-off girlfriend, Ashley Dyrdahl, was sentenced in late 2025 to nearly four years in federal prison for illegally buying the firearms used in the attack, according to court records and media reports.

In a social media post, the firefighters’ union said the men acted to protect seven children who were in danger, calling their actions a reflection of selfless service. They also expressed support for the families, friends and colleagues still grieving the loss and vowed that the trio’s legacy of courage and dedication to the community will not be forgotten.

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