Rochester Ceremony to Dedicate New Law Enforcement Memorial

Rochester, MN (KROC-AM News) - A dedication ceremony will take place this evening at Soldiers Field Memorial Park in Rochester for the new Southeastern Minnesota Law Enforcement Memorial.

The event is scheduled to begin at 5 p.m. with self-guided tours of the memorial, followed by a program beginning at 6:30 p.m. Olmsted County Sheriff Kevin Torgerson, who has been heavily involved in the creation of the new memorial, discussed the plans for the dedication during a recent appearance with Andy Brownell on the Rochester Today show on News-Talk 1340 KROC-AM and 96.9 FM.

Listen to the entire interview by clicking below.

Sheriff Torgerson Reflects on 20-Year Effort

Torgerson says today’s dedication is the culmination of a process that began about 20 years ago, when a group of local law enforcement officers recognized the need to honor officers from the region who lost their lives in the service of their communities. The memorial lists the names of 45 law enforcement officers from southeastern Minnesota—including reserve and part-time officers—who served in local, state, and federal agencies and were killed or died in the line of duty.

The sheriff says the dedication ceremony will include traditional law enforcement and military honors and a variety of speakers. He says the finale for the event will be the lighting of a symbolic “thin blue line” on top of the memorial’s obelisk as sunset approaches.

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Future Enhancements and Fundraising Efforts Underway

Construction work at the site near the intersection of 7th Street and George Gibbs Drive Southwest began about four years ago. Sheriff Torgerson says the project is ongoing, with additional features planned in the future. Fundraising for the memorial is also ongoing. Donations are being accepted through the Law Enforcement Memorial Foundation of Southeast Minnesota.