Anoka police mourn unexpected loss of officer

The Anoka Police Department is mourning the sudden loss of one of its officers.

The department says Officer Eric Groebner died suddenly at his home Wednesday. It wasn’t immediately clear what caused his death.

Groebner had been with the department since 2013.

“If you ever met Officer Groebner you would immediately know you had a lifelong friend. He was truly the best of us,” the department said in a social media post on Thursday. “A Father, Husband, Son, Brother, Friend and an exceptional Police Officer. He was loved by all and will be greatly missed.”

“Today there is a hole in our hearts but we know that we are better for knowing him, better for loving him, better for having met him,” the department added. “May he be as blessed in the next life, as we were in this one by knowing him. May we all strive to be the Police Officer like Officer Groebner. A fair, kind, thoughtful and caring man.”

A GoFundMe has been started to help his family.