St. Cloud Police Chief Wants Public to Be Confident in Officer Identification After Man Posing as Police Officer Assassinated Speaker Emerita Melissa Hortman

(KNSI) – St. Cloud Police Chief Jeff Oxton has sent out an email saying they want the public to be confident about the issue of identification of St. Cloud Police Department after the suspect in the assassination of Speaker Emerita Melissa Hortman and her husband Mark was apparently impersonating a police officer.

The email says “In light of the tragic incidents in the Twin Cities we have been asked about the issue of identification of St. Cloud police personnel. It is important that our public has confidence in the identification of our police officers. Please know that all of our marked squads are accounted for and hold our licensed police officers. Below is a photo of what our current squads look like. Please have confidence in these marked vehicles and the men and women responding to calls for service in these marked cars and uniforms. If ever you have a doubt about the identification of a police officer please call the St. Cloud Police Department non-emergency line which is also the Stearns County Dispatch Center at 320-251-1200 for confirmation.”

According to the Brooklyn Park Police Chief, investigators believe Boelter potentially gained access to Senator John Hoffman’s home because he was dressed like a police officer. The vehicle in the driveway was equipped with emergency lights, and was dressed in blue clothing and wearing black body armor had a taser, along with other items police are known to carry on their vests and duty belts, lending credence to his identifying himself as a police officer. Hoffman and his wife, Yvette were both found shot multiple times.

After being called to that to that scene, a police officer went to Representative Hortman’s house which is less than ten miles away, and made the grim discovery, while also encountering Boelter, who engaged law enforcement in a shoot out before getting away. A manhunt is underway.

Boelter has a military background and worked in security.

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