On Wednesday, more than 10,000 people attended the memorial service for fallen first responders Matthew Ruge, Paul Elmstrand and Adam Finseth.

Grace Church in Eden Prairie held the service, while Prince of Peace Lutheran Church in Burnsville streamed the service for hundreds of people.

“No firefighter or police officer does this alone. They have the support of their families,” said Michael Morales, a firefighter of 40 years. “It hits everybody pretty hard.”

“They gave unreservedly everything for their lives, they were worthy of the honor and I feel like this service honored them well,” said Raymond Yarwood of Apple Valley. 

During the service, loved ones told personal stories of the fallen heroes. 

“It was amazing, the strength that these guys had to get up there and tell those stories, share those stores. It was heartwarming and really renewed our faith in the public service that we have here,” said Anita Cole, who traveled from Prescott, Wisconsin. 

“As with so many funerals, you leave there saying, ‘Oh, I wish I have known that person or known them better,’ but these sound like three extraordinary people trying to do a very difficult job,” said Mary Santos. 

Through grief, it’s the community’s caring actions and kind words that continue to give those deeply impacted the strength and hope they need. Those who attended the service said it brought the community closer.

“My father was a Crow Wing County Sheriff, my brother was with the Lakeville Police, and my nephew is a special agent at the State Capitol,” says Rick Delmonico, a Vietnam Veteran from Bloomington. “These three men are heroes, there’s no doubt about it.”  

He says he used to live in the neighborhood where the standoff occurred.

“I used to live in Burnsville on 33rd Avenue, and I was only two doors away from where the incident took place.”

17-year-old Drew Beckstrand is an EMT from Rogers who hopes to be a paramedic.

When asked why he was holding his hand over his heart as the procession passed by, he said, “Just my way of honoring, same thing we do for the flag,” he says. “It’s extremely supportive. Definitely gives you a lot of faith to stay in the profession and train to be a first responder.”

Robin Buttin was among those who came to the memorial outside the police department and then watched the procession go by.  

“I’ve been here every day,” she declares. “I have to honor their sacrifices, it’s a privilege to honor them. Most important, they’re our heroes, and they go in every day, putting that uniform on.”

With more than 1,400 vehicles, the procession traveled through town for an hour and a half.

“I just want to show my support for the families, for the Burnsville Police Department, for the Fire Department,” declares Susan Anderson from Lakeville.

Anderson brought her daughters, 10-year-old Addison and 8-year-old Olivia, to see for themselves.

“I thought this was a good life lesson for them to learn and that these guys are true heroes. And we should really honor their lives and their families for what they’ve given up,” Anderson added.

With each car that passed by, there was unwavering support as people gave thanks and offered up a communal prayer.

“Least I can do is to come down here and show my respects,” says Todd Thies from St. Paul. “It’s really sad. I mean, it’s hard to believe what the families are going through. Just a sad, sad day.”