Family of Slain Officer Matthew Ruge Pays Tribute to His Legacy of Kindness and Heroism

(KNSI) — For the first time since he was killed, the family of Officer Matthew Ruge is speaking out about their son.

The City of Burnsville published a statement on behalf of Sean Ruge and Christin Henke, who called Matthew the light of their lives, saying, “from the time he was born, he showed signs of “perfecting the art of kindness” and was a joy to everyone around him.” He was the kind of guy who would never hesitate to drop what he was doing to help a neighbor or friend in need. He was the “glue guy” who made everyone around him better.

Like many in the first responder community, “Matt wanted to help and protect people,” and he “found his true calling as a police officer, becoming an even greater force for good in the world.” Ruge said he became a cop because he “wanted to be there for people when they were having the worst days of their lives and help them overcome their challenges.”

His family called him a true hero who was “proud to call his fellow officers at the Burnsville Police Department his brothers and sisters. He did not hesitate to risk himself to save others. He was part of the solution, not part of a problem.”

They added he is “greatly missed, but will be with us always and will continue to inspire us to be kind and make the world better every day.”

The family also thanked everyone for the “overwhelming and constant support.”

They asked the public to “please continue to pray for us and all the grieving families, friends and especially the incredible law enforcement and first responder community.”

Ruge, along with Officer Paul Elmstrand and firefighter paramedic Adam Finseth, were all killed while responding to a domestic incident at a home in Burnsville on February 18th. The suspect claimed he was unarmed, but after three and a half hours of trying to negotiate a surrender, he opened fire on police: another officer, Sgt. Adam Medlicott was also shot, but he sustained non-life-threatening injuries.

A public memorial service for the three is set for 11:00 a.m. Wednesday, February 28th, at Grace Church in Eden Prairie.

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