Episodes

  • The Leo Pavlak Story

    The Leo Pavlak Story
    Nov 30 2025
    South St Paul Police Officer Leo Pavlak was a newly hired officer back in 1933. He joined the department during a challenging time in our state and country's history - years of prohibition, the Great Depression, and high unemployment left folks struggling in this community. St. Paul had become a refuge for many of the most notorious gangsters of modern American history. John Dillinger and Billie Frechette, Ma Barker and her boys, "Babyface" Nelson, Alvin Karpis, and others considered St. Paul a safe haven at some point during their "careers." Minnesota became an epicenter of illegal activity, with major crimes committed across the state. In August of 1933, while SSPPD Officer Leo Pavlak and Officer John Yeaman were escorting bank messengers with one of the large stockyard's payroll, they were confronted by one of the countries most notorious crime families. This shootout left Officer Pavlak dead and Officer Yeaman fighting for his life. The hunt for these killers took the FBI all over the country. Officer Pavlak left behind his wife Pauline and his two children Eleanor and Robert. Officer Pavlak's service and sacrifice has influenced 3 generations of law enforcement officers within his family to serve careers with agencies in the Twin Cities metro area. His positive influence has impacted the lives of several generations of people in these communities - and he continues to make a difference today through his great great grandson who is currently serving in St Paul. You can see many pictures including original evidence photos, the BCA report, and many family photos on his memorial page at: https://officerdownmemorialpodcast.com/leo-pavlak This episode is sponsored by our friends at Law Enforcement Labor Services, Inc. WARNING: Violent content and strong language may be disturbing to some listeners. Listener discretion advised.
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    53 mins
  • The Michael Lawrence Story

    The Michael Lawrence Story
    Sep 24 2025
    In 1925 the city of Minneapolis was home to around 420,000 citizens during a post WW1 era that was defined by the jazz age and prohibition. The month of december had been a violent one in the city with the murder of a former U of M football star, a gun battle in a drug store, and a doctor kidnapping among other violent crimes. 58 year old Sergeant Michael Lawrence, a 26 year veteran of MPD, was the leader of the 4th Precinct Gun Squad - a team dispatched to violent crimes where weapons were involved. This night Sergeant Lawrence and his team would go out on the hunt for a shooter who had just shot a grocery store owner in NW Minneapolis. The night would end with three shot, and two dead, including the murder of this MPD veteran who was planning and looking forward to his upcoming retirement. Sergeant lawrence was survived by his wife and four children, and was the 14th Minneapolis Officer to fall in the line of duty. This episode is sponsored by our friends at Law Enforcement Labor Services, Inc. WARNING: Violent content and strong language may be disturbing to some listeners. Listener discretion advised.
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    18 mins
  • The Curt Felt Story

    The Curt Felt Story
    Aug 8 2025
    23 year old Curtis Alan Felt grew up in the community he was serving in Douglas County Minnesota. Curt didn't have family in law enforcement. He wasn't carrying on a family tradition. He simply loved this community he grew up in and felt the calling to do his part to help make it a little better, a little safer for his family and friends. His story is a stark reminder of the risks the men and women who serve take on every day they put on the badge. His murder also reminded residents that violence against law enforcement can happen anywhere - even in small rural communities like Douglas County. This young hero paid the ultimate sacrifice after being shot while in the offices of the Sheriff's Office - just 7 months after being married. His wife Donna and fellow deputy Bill Ingebrigtsen (Retired Douglas County Sheriff and MN Senator) help us tell this hero's story. This episode is sponsored by our friends at Law Enforcement Labor Services, Inc. WARNING: Violent content and strong language may be disturbing to some listeners. Listener discretion advised.
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    44 mins
  • The Joseph Bergeron Story

    The Joseph Bergeron Story
    May 28 2025
    Joseph Bergeron was an officer everyone in Maplewood MN knew and loved. He was one to always treat others like he would want to be treated - he was kind, caring, and compassionate with everyone he came in contact with. That Saturday morning he had taken an overtime shift so a fellow co-worker could take the day off to support his children at a school sports event. At the begining of his shift that morning he was advised of an armed carjacking and responded to help find the suspects. While searching he came across two young men on a walking trail. This brief encounter would result in his brutal and sensless murder and a manhunt that would end in another officer hurt, one of the two cop killers shot and killed, and a community in mourning. Sergeant Bergeron was just months away from retirement and left behind his wife Gail and 13 year old twin daughters Allie and Sam. This episode is sponsored by our friends at Law Enforcement Labor Services, Inc. Click here if you are interested learning how you can support this podcast and the National COPS organization: https://glow.fm/officerdownmemorialpodcast/ WARNING - Strong language and violent content may be disturbing to some listeners.
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    1 hr and 46 mins
  • Sheriff Rose with David Zimmer on The American Experiment

    Sheriff Rose with David Zimmer on The American Experiment
    May 14 2025

    In this special bonus episode retired Hennepin County Sheriff's Captain David Zimmer from the Center of the American Experiment, a supporter of the Officer Down Memorial Podcast, interviews Sheriff Rose discussing his background, how the podcast got started, how it's put together, it's purpose and it's mission. Sheriff Rose also gives you a sneak peak at the next fallen officer to be featured.

    You can also watch the video of this interview here: Interview video on the American Experiment Podcast

    For more than 30 years, Center of the American Experiment has been the most impactful and effective public policy organization in Minnesota. It leads the way in creating and advocating policies that make Minnesota a freer, more prosperous and better-governed state.

    Center of the American Experiment is a civic and educational 501(c)(3) organization. Contributions are tax-deductible.

    Thank you to Law Enforcement Labor Services in Minnesota for helping sponsor this program.
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    26 mins
  • The Allen Lloyd Story

    The Allen Lloyd Story
    Apr 9 2025
    Allen Richard Lloyd ​​​​grew up in SE Minnesota graduating from high school in 1967 and had considered a career in law enforcement, expressing interest in the highway patrol. He was drafted into the Army in 1969 and sent to fight in Vietnam in July of 1970. Growing up Allen loved to have fun and goof around. His pride and joy was his 1957 Chevrolet. In the Army, Allen excelled working his way up to Sergeant and serving as a Green Beret member of Command and Control, North, 5th Special Forces Group. On February 18, 1971, after having to abort a recon mission due to enemy fire, Allen and his crew were being rescued by a Bell Iroquois Utility Helicopter (UH-1H) from the west side of A Shau Valley, Thua Tin Province, in South Vietnam. At take off he was attached to a three staple rig. The helicopter was hit by anti-aircraft fire and crashed. With the help of fellow soldiers, friends, and family, this episode tells the story of Allen, how we lost him in war, and the efforts that continue today to bring his remains home. ​ Click this link to find out how you can help the mission to bring Allen home. HELP BRING ALLEN LLOYD HOME This episode is sponsored by our friends at Law Enforcement Labor Services, Inc.
    ​ Click here if you are interested learning how you can support this podcast: www.glow.fm/officerdownmemorialpodcast WARNING: Violent content may be disturbing to some listeners. Listener discretion advised.
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    54 mins
  • NO PAROLE FOR COP KILLERS - The Greg Lange Story

    NO PAROLE FOR COP KILLERS - The Greg Lange Story
    Mar 16 2025

    Andrew Salinas, the man who shot and killed Police Chief Greg Lange from the city of Claremont in SE MN in 1988 has been granted his 5th Parole Hearing April 11th, 2025. In this special episode of the Officer Down Memorial Podcast Greg's wife Sue explains how Greg's brutal murder impacted her and her 12 year old son, how she moved forward with her mission to help other law enforcement survivor families, and how they need your help again to keep this COP KILLER in prison where he belongs. You'll also hear how Greg saved the life of a young woman and her 5 month old daughter, and in doing so gave his own.

    Here is the link to Chief Lange's NO PAROLE page explaining how you can help:
    https://www.officerdownmemorialpodcast.com/support-the-lange-family

    NOTE: Letters must be submitted by April 11th, 2025

    Thank you to Law Enforcement Labor Services for helping support this mission and to the Officer Down Memorial Page for always supporting these survivor families.

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    50 mins
  • The Richard Magnuson Story

    The Richard Magnuson Story
    Feb 5 2025

    It was August of 1978 in NW Minnesota when a Canadian Border Agent reported a "run-through" at the Roseau Port of Entry 10 miles north of the county seat of Roseau. Run-throughs were a fairly common occurrence with locals crossing the border after hours, often heading home and simply not wanting to drive the longer distances for the 24-hour ports. There were no gates back then, just orange traffic cones placed after hours blocking the road. If caught, violators would get escorted back to the border by law enforcement and risk a $100 fine. The Roseau County Sheriff's Office received the call and dispatched Richard Kim Magnuson (Rick) to respond to try and locate the vehicle. Rick was a young new deputy working the night shift and stopped a southbound truck on Highway 310. This "run-through" incident would end in Rick being murdered by a wanted man who recently killed three other citizens in Canada. In stopping this truck and paying the ultimate sacrifice in the process, Rick's actions stopped the killing and saved the lives of other cops and innocent citizens. Rick is the only Line of Duty Death to-date for the Roseau County Sheriff's Office in Minnesota. ​​This episode is sponsored by our friends at Law Enforcement Labor Services, Inc.
     ​ Click here if you are interested learning how you can support this podcast and the National COPS organization: www.glow.fm/officerdownmemorialpodcast WARNING: Violent content may be disturbing to some listeners. Listener discretion advised.
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    55 mins