Hayfield Police Department, Minnesota
End of Watch Saturday, March 13, 1999
Add to My HeroesDouglas Eugene Claassen
Chief of Police Douglas Claassen succumbed to complications from a neck injury he sustained on April 30th, 1977, in a struggle with a female subject.
He had attempted to stop the vehicle for speeding along Hayfield's Main Street, but the vehicle failed to stop. He pursued the vehicle until it crashed into a ditch and field at the intersection of County Road 9 and Highway 30. When he approached the vehicle, he discovered the female driver in a semi-conscious state as the result of a drug overdose. As he attempted to remove her from the vehicle she suddenly awoke and became violent. She struck him in the head, causing his head to snap back, injuring his neck.
Despite the injury, he continued to struggle with her as she attempted to take his service weapon. He subdued her briefly, but she then escaped and run from his patrol car. He pursued her on foot a short distance before catching her a second time. A Dodge County sheriff's deputy arrived and assisted placing her in a responding ambulance.
Chief Claassen was forced to medically retire because of the neck injury. His condition continued to deteriorate and he passed away from complications on March 13th, 1999.
In addition to service as chief of the Hayfield Police Department, Chief Claassen also served as a deputy with the Dodge County Sheriff's Office. He is survived by his wife and three children.
Bio
- Age 65
- Tour 3 years, 10 months
- Badge 316
Incident Details
- Cause Assault
- Incident Date Saturday, April 30, 1977
- Weapon Person
- Offender Arrested
Most Recent Reflection
View all 8 ReflectionsRest in peace Chief of Police Claassen.
Rabbi Lewis S. Davis
December 21, 2021
Recent LODD Deaths
Police Officer Jonathan Diller
New York City Police Department, NY
EOW: March 25, 2024
Patrolman Justin Hare
New Mexico State Police, NM
EOW: March 15, 2024
Sergeant Thomas A. Sanfratello
Genesee County Sheriff's Office, NY
EOW: March 10, 2024
Border Patrol Agent Christopher Luna
United States Department of Homeland Security - Customs and Border Protection - United States Border Patrol, US
EOW: March 8, 2024
Trooper Christopher M. Gadd
Washington State Patrol, WA
EOW: March 2, 2024
Officer Cody Allen
Independence Police Department, MO
EOW: February 29, 2024
Police Officer Wisbens Antoine
Knoxville Police Department, TN
EOW: February 25, 2024
Deputy Sheriff Charles Rivette
Montgomery County Sheriff's Office, TX
EOW: February 21, 2024
Trooper First Class Chase Winston Redner
Georgia State Patrol, GA
EOW: February 20, 2024