[Congressional Record Volume 170, Number 44 (Tuesday, March 12, 2024)]
[House]
[Pages H1103-H1104]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                              {time}  1100
                  HONORING POLICE OFFICER MATTHEW RUGE

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Chair recognizes the gentleman from 
Minnesota (Mr. Finstad) for 5 minutes.
  Mr. FINSTAD. Madam Speaker, I rise today to remember the life of 
Police Officer Matthew Ruge, a southern Minnesota hero who was one of 
three first responders shot and killed in the line of duty on February 
18.
  Officer Ruge's life was tragically taken at the young age of 27 while 
responding to a domestic violence call in Burnsville, Minnesota.
  Matthew grew up in Read's Landing, a small, tight-knit community just 
outside Wabasha. From an early age, Matthew knew he wanted to help and 
protect people. He attended Wabasha-Kellogg High School and was awarded 
a scholarship for students entering a law enforcement career.
  Afterward, he completed a police training program at Mankato State 
University with high honors and, 2 years later, joined the Burnsville 
Police Department, where he earned the Life Saving Medal and served on 
the crisis negotiation team.
  While he didn't like being the center of attention, he had an 
unwavering commitment to serving others. Officer Matthew Ruge was the 
very best of law enforcement, always there to help a person on their 
worst day.
  My prayers are with his parents, Sean and Christi; his sister, 
Hannah; and the many friends and family that Matthew touched throughout 
his life.
  Officer Ruge was among the best and bravest of southern Minnesota. We 
will never forget his service and sacrifice. May he rest in peace.


              Honoring Firefighter-Paramedic Adam Finseth

  Mr. FINSTAD. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the life of a 
southern Minnesota hero, firefighter, and paramedic, Adam Finseth, who 
was tragically killed in the line of duty, along with Officers Paul 
Elmstrand and Matthew Ruge, while responding to the scene of a domestic 
violence call on February 18.
  Adam was born in Faribault, Minnesota, before moving to Rochester, 
where he graduated from John Marshall High School in 2001.
  Early on, it was obvious that Adam had been called to a life of 
service. After graduation, he took a summer job as a Rochester 
lifeguard before enlisting in the U.S. Army shortly after 9/11.
  Adam served two tours of duty in Operation Iraqi Freedom and would go 
on to spend nearly a decade serving as a first responder for fire 
departments in La Crosse, Hastings, Savage, and Burnsville.

[[Page H1104]]

  His firefighter family describes Adam as selfless, with a first-one-
in, last-one-out mentality, embodying the true spirit of a firefighter, 
and a friend that everyone could count on.
  My prayers are with his wife, Tara; their two children, Liam and 
Nora; as well as Adam's parents, sister, and all the communities he 
made better with his service.

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