Ashley Dyrdahl, the girlfriend of Shannon Gooden, who killed three Burnsville first responders in a tragic shooting, is expected to plead guilty to federal charges for purchasing firearms for Gooden. In February, Officer Matthew Ruge, Officer Paul Elmstrand, and Firefighter EMT Adam Finseth were shot and killed after responding to a 911 call reporting an alleged sexual assault. During the standoff that followed, Gooden used two AR-style rifles, weapons Dyrdahl had illegally purchased for him, despite Gooden’s 2008 felony conviction which barred him from owning firearms. After killing the first responders, Gooden took his own life. Dyrdahl is facing charges for buying five guns for Gooden, enabling him to carry out this devastating act of violence. The loss of these brave officers is a tragedy, and it is a small measure of justice that Dyrdahl is now being held accountable for her role in enabling such a senseless crime. 

Since the death of George Floyd, the decline of law enforcement in Minnesota, particularly in Minneapolis, has been staggering. Officers have faced a deep loss of respect, and the atmosphere of hostility has led to a sharp drop in morale. Fearing for their lives on a daily basis, many officers have left the force, with nearly half of the department quitting since 2020. This environment of fear, where disrespect for law enforcement has been allowed to flourish, has put both officers and the public at serious risk. The safety of citizens cannot be assured when those entrusted with enforcing the law are afraid to do their jobs. To restore trust and ensure safety of both officers and the communities they serve, Minnesota officials must take stronger action to protect and support law enforcement. With crime rates continuing to rise, the killing of these first responders only intensifies the already difficult task of recruiting new officers. Whether state leaders acknowledge it or not, Minnesota needs a dramatic increase in police presence and a unified effort to rebuild respect for officers. This responsibility begins with Governor Tim Walz and extends to all state representatives, who must take decisive steps to restore law and order.

The tragic deaths of three young, strong, and dedicated officers remain a devastating blow to the Burnsville community and its police department. Their loss is not just a reminder of the inherent dangers first responders face, but also the profound impact of such events on a community still grieving. The unfortunate reality is that crimes like this, as difficult as it is to accept, are part of a larger trend that has led to serious decline in the number of police officers in Minnesota. The blue state of Minnesota must do better—by backing its law enforcement and taking stronger action to address rising crime. Restoring the respect that police officers have is essential, as is rebuilding the department to effectively tackle crime and violence. The police department in Minnesota is still broken, and that’s a painful truth, but with the right leadership, Minnesota has the opportunity to fix it and ensure the safety of both officers and the public.