North St. Paul Officer Down

**gopherpuckfan** · 09-07-09, 05:12 PM

This happened about a mile from my house. I drive by here all the time on my way to Target. This is North St. Paul's first LOD death

Rest in peace, Officer Crittenden.

North St. Paul officer and suspect killed, another officer shot | StarTribune.com

A North St. Paul police officer and a suspect were shot and killed and another officer was wounded this morning after responding to a domestic call, authorities said.

A North St. Paul police officer was shot and killed and another officer was wounded this morning after responding to a domestic call in an apartment complex. The male suspect also was killed, authorities said.

Police received a call about a violation of a restraining order at the Aspen Village apartment complex at 2253 Skillman Av. E. around 8:30 a.m. The North St. Paul officer and a female Maplewood police officer responded to the apartment unit on the first floor, according to Maplewood Deputy Chief Dave Kvam.

The Maplewood police officer was shot in the arm and taken to Regions Hospital where she was treated and released. The suspect's wife or girlfriend is being questioned. Police are not searching for any other suspects.

Officer Richard Crittenden, 57, a nine-year veteran of the North St. Paul Police Department, was killed. Police did not immediately identify the Maplewood officer or the assailant, pending notification of relatives. A news conference was scheduled this afternoon.

The Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension is investigating the incident.
Resident Artis Kern said police weren't allowing residents to leave the building."
"Officers everywhere," is how she described the scene. "It's not an unusual sight, but still it rattles you when you see it."

Kern said she didn't hear shots because she had her air-conditioning running. Several of the units in Aspen Village are empty, she said, because of recent foreclosure problems. A new owner since took over Aspen Village, she said.

The apartment complex is located a few blocks north and east of North St. Paul's border with Maplewood. North St. Paul, a suburb of about 11,000 residents, has 18 sworn officers. Maplewood, a city of about 36,000 residents, has 55 sworn officers.

A website devoted to slain law officers shows 115 Minnesota officers have died from gunfire in the line of duty. None is listed for North St. Paul or Maplewood, but Officer Down Memorial Page Inc., said that an officer in neighboring Oakdale died in 1982 when attempting to stop a robbery at an Oakdale pharmacy.

In April, a suspect shot at a Maplewood police officer after an armed robbery at a North St. Paul restaurant. The officer wasn't hit.

**Jenna** · 09-07-09, 05:41 PM

Rest in peace.

**krauty** · 09-07-09, 06:10 PM

RIP Officer Crittenden

**jmur5074** · 09-07-09, 06:24 PM

**BigDawg** · 09-07-09, 06:38 PM

RIP my Brother

**Wolven** · 09-07-09, 09:21 PM

RIP

**Second Chance** · 09-07-09, 09:38 PM

R.I.P. brother.......we will continue the fight.

**2 Blue 4 U** · 09-14-09, 08:23 PM

Rest In Peace

**Captain America** · 09-14-09, 10:30 PM

Fading Light

Falling Night

Trumpet Call , As The Sun , Sinks In Fright

Sleep In Peace , Comrade Dear

God Is Near

Rest In Peace , Ofc. Crittenden. My condolences to family , friends and colleagues.

**KaiGywer** · 10-02-09, 04:41 AM

I was just given a link to this video:

[ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LAwMP882UKI]YouTube - Remember Critter[/ame]

Remember Critter

Officer Crittenden Memorial Benefit

October 2nd, 2009

Alary's Bar

139 East 7th St

7:00PM - 10:00PM

Food & Music, Drink Specials, Raffle Prizes, 50/50 Raffle

100% of all proceeds to benefit the Richard Crittdenden Memorial Fund

Raffle Prizes:

1st: 50" Plasma TV

2nd: $500 Cash

3rd: 2 Tickets to the MN Wild

$10 donation at the door

Includes Food (while supplies last)

Free Tap Beer 7:00PM - 10:00PM

$2.00 Captain Cokes 7:00PM - 10:00PM

This event is sponsored by the MN Chapter of the Renengade Pigs Motorcycle Club in conjunction with: Alary's Bar, Best Buy, MN Fraternal Order of Police, and D'Amico Catering.

**kjlaw** · 10-02-09, 08:39 AM

Rest Easy my Brother

**gopherpuckfan** · 10-05-09, 04:24 AM

I was at the benefit for "Critter" on Friday night. Over $17,000 was raised for his family. The turnout was unbelieveable. I got there right at 7pm and it was wall-to-wall people until I left around 11:15. The tribute video was very moving and so was the bagpipe version of "Amazing Grace". I've never seen a bar so quiet for so long, with everyone raising their glasses in the air. Very touching.