Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

I worked with Jerry Haaf for a number of months in dispatch, he did channel 1 and I did 2, he was my mentor so to speak, I learned a lot from him. I've included some info about his murder in a book I'm having published, it's called "It Happened." I talk a lot about the police experience as I lived it with partners, I did a simple ten years on the North Side and another ten at the Third Precinct. I included some reflections about his killing even though I had retired shortly before that happened. The title of the book attempts to tell the story of every officer back in those days, and about the good, bad, and funny, connection about partners and police work as I saw it, meaning 2-man squads were back then absolutely necessary for safety and every requirement of the job, so I also spoke not so kindly about the department chief then and the damage he did, and the resulting damage to our profession, long time, so I expect some blow-back once it's in the public where anybody can read it. I hope and trust I did a good service to the old-time cops, Jerry was with Dick Miller, as my mentors a couple of the best examples of good cops and good police work, never to be replaced since. May they rest in peace. I'm so sorry for their loss. My heart goes out to his family and friends, I'm available for anything I can do to help.

Neil Brodin
Retired Minneapolis Police Department, Badge #0802 1969 -1989

May 20, 2025

rest easy, thank you for your sacrifice

James Arthur
Confidential

May 8, 2025

To the family of Officer Haaf,
30 years is a long time but your minds & hearts dart straight line to that day.
My family is from that area. My uncle (Paulie Kuhn) served in the MPD and likely knew Officer Haaf. They both would have been heartbroken and angry to see what the dumb city/state leaders allowed to happen 2.5 years ago. Glad they didn't have to experience that. But we did, and we are no longer silent.
God bless and be with each of you as you remember.

Rev. B. Kuhn
Niece of co-serving officer

October 13, 2022

Patrolman Haaf,
On today, the 30th anniversary of your death I would just like to say thank you for your service and sacrifice-not just for your Community but for our Country as well when you served with the U.S. Air Force. And to your Family and loved ones, I wish to extend my deepest sympathy.

R.I.P.
USBP

Anonymous
United States Border Patrol

September 25, 2022

Never forgotten.

Retired Sgt
MPD

September 25, 2021

Patrolman Haaf, rest in peace.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

March 5, 2020

You are not forgotten. RIP

Joe Fehr

September 25, 2018

There seems to be a misunderstanding about the sentences of the suspects in this case. The triggerman, the guy who actually killed Mr. Haaf, received life and his presumptive parole date is somewhere early 2090s, so essentially life without parole. His accomplices were the ones who got the more lenient 30 years

Citizen

July 29, 2017

Jerry,

Your memory lives on. I came to this page after being told about you today during a police training. You will never be forgotten.

Deputy MN

March 29, 2017

HCMC Medics remember!

Steve Miller, Paramedic 31 years
HCMC EMS

September 25, 2015

I was working the night you were taken, in a suburb. I clearly remember standing in dispatch reading the news you hadn't survived. You were killed on my birthday, and I always think of you each year. I had the pleasure of meeting your son recently, you can be proud of him.

Rest well sir. You deserve it.

Deputy Sheriff

September 25, 2015

You deserved better sir. You served the good people of Minn. All those years. 30 years is all your murders received. I salute you sir. Rest in peace.

Captain Michael McAllister
Lewis Co. Dist. 16 Fire Department

February 18, 2015

Jerry was a great friend. He really went out of his way to help me "learn the ropes" of working Traffic. I will always remember him giving me a ride to my car several hours before he was killed. R.I.P. Jerry

John Gaffner Sr
MPD Retired

September 26, 2013

So many good times with Jerry and my tow truck. R.I.P. My friend.

mark koscielski

September 25, 2013

RIP Jerry Haaf.

Sergeant Minneapolis Police
MPD

September 25, 2013

Rest in peace, Jerry. Nobody is truly appreciated until they are taken from us. I never met you face to face or spoke with you, but I knew you by your reputation, and mutual acquaintances. You were at the end of your memorable career of 30 years. I was brand new with only two years under my belt. I was working the night of your "Officer Down" call. I remember responding to the scene and being part of the search for the cowards who approached you from behind. We were all held over past the end of our shifts, but none of us would willingly leave anyway. Not until we all knew we had done everything possible for one of our own. You were one of the best of us, Jerry. I hope your family has found peace too after almost 21 years now. You will never be forgotten !!

Officer K. Youngquist
Minneapolis Police Dept.

August 29, 2013

Thinking of you and your family today. I pray for solace for all those that love and remember you for I know both the pain and pride are forever.

Phyllis Loya
Mom of fallen California Officer Larry Lasater, Pittsburg PD, eow 4/24/05

September 25, 2012

I was only four years old when you were taken away from us. That day changed my life forever, and is the biggest influence on me becoming a police officer. There is not a day that goes by that we don't all think about you. When I realize how little I remeber about you and how much you have missed I feel great sadness. But I take solace in knowing that you are always there watching over us and protecting us still today. i miss you and love you greatly.

Jon Durst
Grandson

May 15, 2011

Rest in peace, sir. Your sacrifice is greatly appreciated.

When calamity comes, the wicked are brought down, but even in death the righteous have a refuge. Proverbs 14:32

Friend of USFS Off. Kris Fairbanks RIP 9/20/08

K.L.
former 4-H Happy Tails member

October 26, 2010

Well Jerry the Shack is no longer there, but the memories will never go away. You last words "I don't want to die" will live in the hearts of all who were there when you were senselessly shot by a low life coward.
We took you for granted when you were here and realized what we lost when you were gone. I keep faith by believing our time of death is preset when we are born, god sets it and there is no changing that. Thanks for the memories and God Bless.

Anonymous

October 12, 2009

Your heroism and service is honored today, the 17th anniversary of your death. Your memory lives and you continue to inspire. Thank you for your service. My cherished son Larry Lasater was a fellow police officer murdered in the line of duty on April 24, 2005 while serving as a Pittsburg, CA police officer.

The cirumstances of your murder were brutal. Justice was not served with the murderer being released after six years. I pray for the solace of your loved ones.
Rest In Peace

Phyllis Loya

Anonymous

September 25, 2009

17 years since you were senselessly murdered. You may be gone but you will never be forgotten. May you continue to rest in peace Officer Haaf.

Reserve Officer B. Haapoja
WPD

September 25, 2009

I am still At a loss. And cannot belive still that we are going on 16 years since you where taken from us by the cowardly act.

I still remember you well., When you worked off duty at burger king on 8th and Henn, Oh! the times we had.
I remember the joking around the laughter you had at a good joke,
I sadly remember how you were so ready to retire
and that you had just picked up a new RV for you and your wife to get away from all of the crazyness of the city life.

I remember during the halloween snow storm you were on patrol and you got buried in snow on east river road at lake street and it took a 950 cat front end loader to get you out, All you could do is laugh.

almost 16 years has gone bye, but you are STILL in our hearts and on our minds forever!!!!

You are still missed Jerry.
Bill Anderson

COII Ofc. Wm. Anderson
Correctional Officer MCF-RC

January 16, 2008

"The Badge"
He starts his shift each day
To respond to calls unknown.
He drives a marked patrol car.
A police officer he is known.
He's paid by the citizens' taxes
To make it safe on the streets.
But he usually has a second job
'Cause a waitress has his salary beat.
Now he doesn't know a holiday
'Cause he works all year round.
And when Thanksgiving and Christmas finally arrive
At his home he cannot be found.
He's cursed and assaulted often,
The one whos blood runs blue.
He seldom ever gets a thanks,
To some he's just a fool.
His friends are always other cops
'Cause people just don't understand
That underneath his badge and gun,
He's just another man.
He knows there might not be a tomorrow
In this world of drugs and crime.
And he gets so mad at the court system
'Cause the crooks don't get any time.
And each day when he leaves for work,
He prays to God above.
Please bring me home after my shift
So I can see the ones I love.
But tonight he stops a speeding car,
He's alone down this ole' highway.
It's just a little traffic infraction.
He does it everyday.
Well, he walks up to the driver's window,
And his badge is shining bright.
He asked the guy for a driver's license,
When a shot rang through the night.
Yes, the bullet hit its mark,
Striking the officer in the chest.
But the Department's budget didn't buy
Each officer a bullet-proof vest.
So he lay on the ground bleeding.
His blood wasn't blue - His blood was red.
And briefly he thought of his loved ones
'Cause in a moment the officer was dead.
In the news they told the story
Of how this officer had died.
And some who listened cared less,
But those who loved him cried.
Well, they buried him in uniform
With his badge pinned on his chest.
He even had his revolver,
He died doing his best.
Written By:
David L. Bell
Sergeant
Richland County Sheriff's Department
Columbia, South Carolina
Used with Special Permission of the Author
Copyright © 1999 - All Rights Reserved
and may not be duplicated without permission

Investigator David L Bell
Richland County Sheriff's Dept., Columbia, SC

November 28, 2007

On the 15th Anniversary of your brutal and cowardly murder, I salute you, Sir! What a travesty of justice that the slime responsible for this heinous crime served just 06 short years. Oh well, I bet I know where he will spend eternity; and I KNOW where you are: Walking your beat on Golden Street in Heaven. May your family and friends take comfort in knowing that you will FOREVER be a hero and will NEVER be forgotten!

DET SGT, Retired
AR

September 25, 2007